President Biden on Thursday eulogized former President Carter, hailing the 39th president as a man of character who left an enduring legacy both during his time in the White House and after leaving office.
Biden addressed a crowd of prominent dignitaries, including all other living American presidents, at Washington National Cathedral during a state funeral for Carter, who died in late December at age 100. The president remembered Carter as a “great American, and a dear friend and a good man.”
As a first-term senator, Biden was the first politician in Washington to endorse Carter’s presidential bid. It was a decision made based on Carter’s character, Biden said Thursday.
“Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me, and through his life taught me, the strength of character is more than title or the power we hold,” Biden said. “It’s the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. That everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves an even shot.”
Biden, who has drawn some comparisons to Carter as another Democratic president who will only serve one term, described Carter as a man driven by his faith “who never let the tides of politics divert him from his mission” and who led on issues that resonated well after he left office in 1981.
“Many think he was from a bygone era. But in reality, he saw well into the future,” Biden said. “A white, southern Baptist who led on civil rights. A decorated navy veteran who brokered peace. A brilliant nuclear engineer who led on nuclear non-proliferation. A hard working farmer who championed conservation and clean energy. And a president who redefined the relationship with the vice president.”
When he finished his eulogy, Biden gently tapped Carter’s casket, which was draped with the American flag, before taking his seat.
The president and first lady Jill Biden visited Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter at their home in Georgia in 2021. Biden has said Carter asked him to deliver a eulogy at his funeral.
Following Thursday’s services at Washington National Cathedral, Carter’s remains will return to Georgia, where he will be buried in his hometown of Plains, next to Rosalynn Carter.
