FOR PEACE, BREAD AND JUSTICE
Jimmy Carter was born October 1, 1924, in the town of Plains, Georgia, and grew up in the nearby community of Archery. After Public school he attended Georgia Southwestern College, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the United States Naval Academy where he obtained the B.S. degree in 1946. He became a lieutenant submariner when he specialized in nuclear physics and reactor technology at Union College in Schenectady, New York.
With the passing of his father he quit the Navy to manage the family farm in Plains, Georgia.
Soon he became involved in the community especially in education and health, thus began his political career. He was elected to the Georgia Senate in 1962, and later was Georgia governor in 1971. In 1976 he was elected President of the United States.
President Carter's tenure in the White House (1977-1981) marked an important milestone in the Middle East negotiation, to wit, the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. His foreign policy resulted in the Panama Canal treaties, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and diplomatic relations with China. At home he was keen on energy deregulation and environmental protection and conservation.
Unlike most others who retire into just writing their memoirs after their term in office, President Carter became Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and concomitantly delved into serious international affairs. Through the Carter Center (co-founded with his wife, Rosalynn [formerly Smith]), he played major roles godfathering issues of human rights, poverty, diseases, conflict resolutions and democracy in many areas of the world.
He believed in the power of negotiation, mediation and diplomacy in preference to violence and war – within the confines of international law. For his unflinching efforts and dedication, he was honored with the Noble Prize.
The Carter Center, part of the complex of The Carter Presidential Center, with a complement of approximately 150 staff, is located in downtown Atlanta. The staff concentrates on peace and health programs, initiating these in more than 65 countries. In addition to eradicating worm disease in Guinea, helping to prevent river blindness in Ethiopia, improving agricultural practices in many parts of Africa, promoting peace initiatives in Haiti, Korea, East Timor, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda, the Center is a regular observer in national elections in many countries to preempt voting violations – in Jamaica and Guyana for example.
Both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit NGO that assists in building and renovation of homes for low-income families and the deserving domestically and overseas. A devout Baptist, Jimmy Carter also teaches Sunday school regularly. He effuses geniality and pleasantness, and his ‘Colgate’ teeth shine as he speaks of fly-fishing which is among his hobbies of woodwork, jogging, tennis, skiing and cycling.
Mr. Carter is an avid reader and a regular invited speaker. In addition he has authored sixteen books, many of which are now in revised editions: Why Not the Best? 1975, 1996; A Government as Good as Its People, 1977, 1996; Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President, 1982, 1995; Negotiation: The Alternative to Hostility, 1984; The Blood of Abraham, 1985, 1993; Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (co-authored with Rosalynn Carter) 1987, 1995; An Outdoor Journal, 1988, 1994; Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age, 1992, Talking Peace: A Vision for the Next Generation, 1993, 1995; Always a Reckoning, 1995; The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer (illustrated by daughter Amy Carter) 1995; Living Faith, 1996; Sources of Strength: Meditations on Scripture for a Living Faith, 1997; The Virtues of Aging, 1998; An Hour before Daylight: Memoirs of a Rural Boyhood, 2001; and Christmas in Plains: Memories, 2001.
Many individuals and organizations have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, most deserving it and a few who should never have received it. Here is a person who outshines many and truly deserves it. President Carter has used his stature and his presence in the world theater to make the world a better place – for peace, bread and justice. – Editor