Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature adopted a ceremonial resolution Wednesday honoring former President Jimmy Carter for his devotion to public service and humanitarian work.
Legislative Resolution 1 was introduced by State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, on the first day of the legislative session, one week ago. All but one of Arch’s colleagues in the 49-member body joined the effort to recognize and thank Carter.
Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. He was the 39th U.S. president, between 1977 and 1981.
The resolution acknowledges Carter’s life around his presidency, such as his 1946 graduation with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy, his honorable discharge from the Navy with the rank of lieutenant and the establishment of the nonprofit Carter Center, which seeks to improve lives in more than 80 countries.
Arch’s resolution also highlights Carter’s 2002 Nobel Peace Prize win “in recognition of his efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development.”
“The Legislature recognizes, honors and thanks former President Carter for his service to the United States of America and to the people of the world,” the resolution reads.
Arch told the Nebraska Examiner that any time a president dies is a significant event, their life of which he thought the Legislature could recognize together.
“Regardless of where you are in the politics, the work of the president is extremely important to the United States,” Arch said. “President Carter, in particular, served, and following his term in office, the humanitarian work was unbelievable.”
The Legislature offered its condolences to Carter’s friends and family and intends to send a copy of the resolution to the former president’s family.
“Everybody recognizes good,” Arch added. “I think the resolution reflected the heart of President Carter and his generosity to humanitarian affairs.”
State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha was the lone senator not to join Arch’s resolution. She said she didn’t sign because she remembers growing up under Carter’s presidency. She was 6 years old when he was elected to the White House.
Kauth pointed to Carter’s involvement in the Middle East and the Iran hostage crisis involving U.S. diplomats and citizens between Nov. 4, 1979, and Jan. 20, 1981. It ended when Carter’s successor, President Ronald Reagan, took office.
President Joe Biden ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half staff through Jan. 28, and he declared Jan. 9, the day of Carter’s funeral, as a national day of mourning, a longstanding tradition after the deaths of former U.S. presidents.
Gov. Jim Pillen, on the day of Carter’s death, said the former president’s life “was defined by public service,” from his in the military and governor of Georgia to U.S. president and with Habitat for Humanity.
“His unwavering faith in almighty God and his dedication to his family were a model for us all,” Pillen said then.
Pillen has ordered that flags fly at full staff once during the 30 days of mourning for Carter: Monday, Jan. 20, for the inauguration of former President Donald Trump.
“The official installation of a President is a historic day in the calendar of our nation and should be recognized as such,” Pillen said Tuesday. “Having the flag at full staff symbolizes the respect to that office and our nation’s newly elected leader.”