WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – The state funeral of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter was held at Washington National Cathedral. Outgoing President Joe Biden, former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, President-elect Donald Trump, outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune attended the ceremony.
On the occasion of the Democratic president’s state funeral, the date of Jan. 9 was officially proclaimed as a day of national mourning, and for the next 30 days after the death of Carter, who passed away last Dec. 29 at the age of 100, the flags of all federal buildings are at half-mast.
During his remarks at the ceremony, outgoing President Joe Biden paid tribute to Jimmy Carter, speaking of their relationship, “The characteristic smile of Jimmy Carter and his wife, together for nearly 77 years, reflects his modesty. Sitting in the living room as a family, we shared memories of nearly 60 years together,” Biden said. “Our friendship began in 1974. I was 31 years old and a senator when I came across the enduring character of Jimmy Carter, and today I can say that this character has shaped my destiny.”
After an initial funeral in Georgia, President Carter’s body arrived in Washington last Tuesday, Jan. 7, and was transported to the Capitol rotunda to allow supporters a final farewell. Also present at the ceremony were the president’s children, John Carter, James Carter III, Donnel Carter and Amy Carter Wentzel.
Among the leaders who paid their respects to Carter was the presence of President-elect Donald Trump, who had been very critical of the late president during the last campaign, comparing him critically to Biden and citing the rising inflation rates in the country during the 1970s, a period that corresponds to when Carter was still president.
Jimmy Carter’s state funeral took place at a particular time for Washington, which is preparing for a transition phase, with President-elect Donald Trump preparing to take over from Democrat Joe Biden starting next Jan. 20. Beyond political ideologies, the figure of Jimmy Carter objectively played a central role in the country’s history even after his presidential tenure ended.
After his electoral defeat in 1980, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work in seeking peaceful solutions to international conflicts, promoting democracy and human rights. He has also been involved in numerous humanitarian and peace initiatives, including his work with the Carter Center in Atlanta in fighting disease, election monitoring and conflict resolution.
After the ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral, the next destination is Joint Base Andrews, where Carter’s remains will be transported aboard Special Air Mission 39 bound for Fort Moore, Georgia. From there the journey to Plains, where a private memorial service will be held at the end of which President Carter will be buried beside his wife Rosalynn Carter, who died last year at the age of 96. The two were married for 77 years, also becoming the longest-serving couple in presidential history.
-photo xp6 –
(ITALPRESS).
Washington to pay final respects to President Jimmy Carter
