[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING JIMMY CARTER

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, this week, our Nation mourns the loss of 
our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. With grief comes reflection on his 
life, a life well lived.
  There is no doubt President Carter made an impact on scores of 
Americans. As for this Senator, in 1976, I was on the ballot as a 
Congressman for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, and of course Jimmy 
Carter was on that same ballot. Now, he and I were bit by different 
political bugs, but we have a similar foundation--two smalltown boys 
anchored in our faith.
  As the only sitting Member of Congress today who served with the 
Carter Presidency, I remember him fondly and maybe have a couple of 
times to remind you about.
  I don't know exactly what year it was, but I was in Iowa. He made a 
phone call to me asking--he was on his way to Nicaragua to observe 
whether or not a Presidential election at that time was going to be a 
fair election. He asked me if I would go along with him. I said the 
work of the Senate didn't allow me to do it at that particular time. 
So, obviously, I regretted that.
  Another time, he asked me--I think this was in the 2000 period of 
time, maybe around 2003, 2004, or 2005--he asked if I would come and 
speak to a Baptist group in Atlanta, GA, that he was leading. I had 
that opportunity to be there and to have a private conversation with 
him and his wife, the former First Lady.
  Carter answered the call to serve his Nation in many different ways. 
We remember him as a naval officer, his call to serve in public service 
as our President of the United States, and his call to serve those in 
need after leaving the White House.
  1 Peter 4:10 says:

       Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to 
     serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its 
     various forms.

  The light of the Lord shone through President Carter's life of 
service. He used these gifts to serve others even beyond the borders of 
the United States. We say goodbye during this time to this man of many 
talents.
  We know about his background as a peanut farmer. We know about his 
background as a naval officer and, more famously, as our 39th President 
and, lastly, as a homebuilder as he worked through organizations 
building homes for the needy. Now we remember him as he is in his 
heavenly home.
  I yield the floor.

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