GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Long lines of people have been paying their respects to former President Jimmy Carter.
His casket is in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. A state funeral takes place at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.
Gleaves Whitney, the executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, said on West Michigan's Morning News that Carter was the first president to deal with the post-Cold War world.
"Because of the Iranian hostage crisis in the Middle East. That was a reactive situation. But the proactive situation is what President Carter did to bring the president of Egypt, Anwar Sadat, and the head of Israel, Menachim Begin, together," Whitney said.
President Carter was almost as well known for his humanitarian work after he left office as he was for his work in the White House. When he died December 29th at age 100, Carter left behind a legacy of service.
"Well, Jimmy Carter is going to win every record for a productive, busy and long post-presidency. He was just so energetic with Habitat for Humanity, but also in international relations," Whitney said.
Carter founded a non-governmental, nonprofit organization in 1982 called the Carter Center. It is adjacent to the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta. Its stated goal is to advance human rights.
"The Carter Center was a wonderful projection of his personality and his principles. And as a result of that, the Guinea Worm (disease) was practically eradicated from Africa. Carter was just so committed to creating a better world.
"He's a guy that many considered had a failed presidency (from 1976-1980) or lackluster presidency - I would disagree with that - but he was determined to redeem the times. And he did it in so many ways. And one of the ways here in Grand Rapids we celebrate Carter's many achievements is his friendship with President Ford, which occurred on an unlikely flight to Egypt; to Anwar Sadat's funeral."
Carter, Ford and former President Richard Nixon all were on that flight.
"To Nixon's everlasting credit, he tried to break the ice between these two men, who had just run against each other a few years before," Whitney said. "From that moment on, you have Ford and Carter realizing that they really shared a lot in common: their values, the things they wanted to do, both domestically and abroad. Loved the Boy Scouts, loved a number of initiatives that would strengthen democracy."
Carter and Ford became fast friends after that.
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