Carter State Funeral Held at Washington National Cathedral: All Five Living Presidents Attend, Biden Delivers Eulogy
On January 9, 2025, the state funeral of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, was held at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The day was observed as a national day of mourning, with federal offices closed.
Carter's casket was carried that morning by military service members down the east steps of the U.S. Capitol and taken to the cathedral. He had lain in state in the Capitol Rotunda since January 7.
President Joe Biden delivered the eulogy. He said that as a 31-year-old senator he was the first senator outside Georgia, perhaps the first senator, to endorse Carter's candidacy for president, based on what he called Carter's enduring attribute: "character, character, character," and that character is destiny.
Biden said Carter taught him that strength of character is more than title or power; it is understanding that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect and that everyone deserves an even shot. "We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor," he said, and to stand up against the abuse of power.
Biden said Carter came from a house without running water or electricity and rose to the pinnacle of power, never let the tides of politics divert him from his mission to serve and shape the world, and established a model post-presidency. He closed with the words of the prophet Micah: Carter did justly, loved mercy and walked humbly.
All five living presidents attended: Biden, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump. The tributes also included readings by Carter's grandsons and a eulogy written by former President Gerald Ford, delivered by his son Steven Ford.
After the service, Carter's casket was returned to Plains, Georgia, where he was buried the same day beside his wife Rosalynn at their home. Carter died on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains at age 100, the longest-lived U.S. president.
Related: Former President Jimmy Carter Dies at His Georgia Home at 100
(Source: The White House)
Source: The White House
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：拜登在华盛顿国家大教堂为前总统吉米·卡特致悼词（2025年1月9日）。图：美国国防部照片（Mr. Tarnish Pride 摄），公共领域，via Wikimedia Commons / Photo: President Biden delivers a eulogy for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral on January 9, 2025. Photo: U.S. Department of Defense photo by Mr. Tarnish Pride, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- 2024-12-29Former President Jimmy Carter Dies at His Georgia Home at 100
- 2025-01-09Carter State Funeral Held at Washington National Cathedral: All Five Living Presidents Attend, Biden Delivers EulogyThis story
