Published: May 23, 2016
James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr. was the 39th President of the United States (1977-1981) and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
President Carter had numerous domestic and foreign policy accomplishments. He created the Department of Energy, established a national energy policy to deal with the energy shortage and decontrolled domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. He deregulated the trucking and airline industries and prompted Government efficiency through civil service reform. His expansion of the national park system to include protection of 103 million acres in Alaska was one of the many ways he sought to improve the environment. By creating the Department of Education, he increased human and social services, bolstered the Social Security system and appointed record numbers of women, African Americans and Hispanics to Government jobs.
In foreign affairs, he was a champion for human rights. He helped bring amity between Egypt and Israel through the Camp David agreement of 1978. He obtained ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, and worked to establish full diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. He continued difficult negotiations over hostages in Iran, leading to the release of 52 Americans the day he left office.
Key Legislation During the Carter Administration
The “Department of Energy Organization Act”
Public Law 95-91, August 4, 1977, U.S. Statutes at Large
The “Department of Education Organization Act”
Public Law 96-88, October 17, 1979, U.S. Statutes at Large
Granting Pardon for Violations of the Selective Service Act, August 4, 1964 to March 28, 1973
Proclamation 4483, January 21, 1977, U.S. Statutes at Large
Foreign Relations
The “Taiwan Relations Act”
Public Law 96-8, April 10, 1979, U.S. Statutes at Large
Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate
January 2001 – TRA, pp. 238, 249, 356; SALT II, pp. 37,115, 121-127, 239, 252-253, 306, 321, 327, Senate Committee Print
A Reexamination of U.S. - China Relations, Hearings before the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations
United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, March 23, July 1, and 21, 1999 – TRA pp 16, 20, 77, 80-88, 91-94, 106-109, 110, 122-124, Congressional Hearing
Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 106th Congress, First Session, October 12, 1999 – SALT II
Congressional Record
The New Start Treaty Hearings before the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate One Hundred Eleventh Congress (Treaty Doc. 111–5)
April 29, May 18, 19, 25, June 10, 15, 16, 24, and July 15, 2010 – SALT II pp182, 193, 253, 365, Congressional Hearing
The President’s News Conference with President Jimmy Carter, General Colin Powell, and Senator Sam Nunn on Haiti September 19, 1994, pp 1574-1578
Administration of William J. Clinton, Public Papers of the President of the U.S.
Task Force of Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to Investigate Certain Allegations Concerning the Holding of Americans as Hostages by Iran in 1980 (“October Surprise'')
September 18, 1992, Journal of the House of Representatives
Commemorations
To award congressional gold medals to former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter in recognition of their outstanding service to the United States and to the world
H.R. 3665 (ih), December 8, 2003, Congressional Bill
Honoring former President James Earl (Jimmy) Carter on the occasion of his 80th birthday
108th Congress 2nd Session H. RES. 798, September 23, 2004, Congressional Bill
Honoring former President James Earl (Jimmy) Carter on the occasion of his 80th birthday
108th Congress 2nd Session S. RES. 446, October 4, 2004, Congressional Bill
An act to establish the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Preservation District in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes
101 Stat. 1434, December 23, 1987, U.S. Statutes at Large
Administration of William J. Clinton, Remarks at a Ceremony Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter in Atlanta, August 9, 1999
Administration of William J. Clinton, Public Papers of the President of the U.S.
Images
Meeting with Presidents Gerald Ford, George Bush, and Jimmy Carter in the Residence, September 14
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton, September 14, 1993 (Book II)
Attending the funeral of King Hussein I of Jordan with former Presidents Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George Bush in Amman
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton, February 8, 1999 (Book I)
Meeting with former President Jimmy Carter in the office of National Security Adviser Thomas E. Donilon at the White House, November 30, 2010.
Administration of Barack H. Obama, Public Papers of the Presidents of the U.S.