Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States (1977–1981) and was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office. Before he became President, Carter, a Democrat, served as a U.S. Naval officer, was a peanut farmer, served two terms as a Georgia State Senator and one as Governor of Georgia (1971–1975).

During Carter's term as President, he created two new cabinet-level departments: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. He established a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology. In foreign affairs, Carter pursued the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II), and returned the Panama Canal Zone to Panama. He took office during a period of international stagflation, which persisted throughout his term. The end of his presidential tenure was marked by the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis, the 1979 energy crisis, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the United States boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow (the only U.S. boycott in Olympic history), and the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state.

By 1980, Carter's popularity had eroded. He survived a primary challenge against Ted Kennedy for the Democratic Party nomination in the 1980 election, but lost the election to Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate. On January 20, 1981, minutes after Carter's term in office ended, the 52 U.S. captives held at the U.S. embassy in Iran were released, ending the 444-day Iran hostage crisis.

After leaving office, Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982, a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization that works to advance human rights. He has traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, observe elections, and advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. Carter is a key figure in the Habitat for Humanity project, and also remains particularly vocal on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Read more about Jimmy Carter:  Early Life and Education, Marriage and Family, Career, Governor of Georgia, 1976 Presidential Campaign, Presidency, 1980 Presidential Campaign, Post-Presidency

Famous quotes by jimmy carter:

    As we meet here at Camp David we ask people of all faiths to pray with us that peace and justice may result from these deliberations.
    Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)

    America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense ... human rights invented America.
    Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)

    At the Carter Center we work with victims of oppression, and we give support to human rights heroes.
    Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)

    Sadat was a great and good man, and ... his most bitter and dangerous enemies were people who were obsessed with hatred for his peaceful goals.
    Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)

    I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something God recognizes I will do—and I have done it—and God forgives me for it.
    Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)