I remember Jimmy Carter's first and very positive presidential campaign like it was yesterday. His goodness and genuineness is an inspiration to us all!
Jimmy Carter is my most favorite President of my lifetime. He kept us of out of a huge war with Iran. Despite tremendous pressure to use military force to get even with Iran for seizing our embassy and its staff, he didn't buckle. Countless lives were saved despite the tremendous cost to him politically and personally.
Jimmy Carter signed a major expansion of Federal Court system into law and named numerous liberal Federal judges. There impact for good has been incalculable.
An ardent environmentalist, he protected huge parts of Alaska from reckless development by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act into law. It DOUBLED the land in the Federal National Parks and Refuges system.
He created the Department of Energy, which is responsible for energy conservation policies. This affects us all - to this very day - since the DOE is mandated by law to find new ways to conserve energy.
He also created the Superfund through the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. Numerous toxic waste sites have been made useful and safe again because of this powerful and far reaching law.
He also created the Department of Education to support students and public schools and colleges.
He gave back the Panama Canal to Panama, despite being very unpopular with a large segment of the American public.
He also patiently twisted the arms of Egypt's and Israel's leaders and the Camp David accords were signed. Guaranteeing peace between Egypt and Israel that has lasted for over fourty years. That is the single biggest achievement any American President has ever had in the Middle East!
When Jimmy Carter lost reelection he founded the Carter Center with a focus on human rights and public health. His foundation's single greatest accomplishment is the near total elimination of the Guinea Worm parasite. A gruesome scourge in Africa since the beginning of time!
A modest man of faith he didn't use his status as a former U.S. president to increase his wealth or fame. Nor did he disappear or mainly focus on establishing his Presidential library. Instead he dedicated the rest of his life to making the world a better place in very substantial ways.
Jimmy Carter's legacy will live on for generations to come!
Thank you Jimmy Carter! We love you! You are a good role model for us all! Knowing that people like you exist gives me hope!