WASHINGTON – The body of former President Jimmy Carter was brought to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon for a commemorative service with lawmakers before he lies in state.

Military personnel carried his casket, covered with a flag, into the Capitol Rotunda, allowing family and Congress members to honor him before the public viewing began.

A large crowd gathered later in the evening to enter the Capitol and pay their last respects to Carter, who, despite serving only one term, left a lasting impact as a humanitarian.

Although the cold weather and strong winds following a significant snowstorm made it uncomfortable, many were undeterred in their desire to say goodbye to Carter.

Marshall Rocke, 60, one of the visitors in line, expressed his admiration, stating, “If anyone was a saint, it was him.” He traveled by train from New York to Washington to honor “one of the greatest human beings ever.”

The memorial service followed a solemn procession through the capital, where Carter’s flag-draped casket was transported in a horse-drawn caisson from the U.S. Navy Memorial, passing by crowds braving the frigid air. Members of the Carter family walked alongside the caisson, echoing the route of his inaugural parade in 1977.

He is set to lie in state until midnight on Tuesday and again from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

Carter’s funeral will take place on Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral, and President Joe Biden has declared it a National Day of Mourning. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are expected to attend.

Following the funeral, Carter and his family will return to Georgia for a private funeral service and burial at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Carter’s hometown.

The president known for his quiet demeanor passed away on December 29 at the age of 100.

‘A Rare Gifted Individual’: Respectful Tributes from Leaders

During an hour-long service at the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke fondly of Carter. Supreme Court justices, including Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also attended.

Harris commemorated Carter’s contributions, such as facilitating peace between Israel and Egypt through the Camp David Accords.

She reflected on the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s significant work beyond his presidency, emphasizing that “Jimmy Carter set a new standard for what it means to be a former president,” highlighting his humanitarian efforts post-White House.

“Jimmy Carter was a rare example of a talented individual who carried himself with humility and grace,” Harris remarked.

The United States Naval Academy Glee Club delivered a stirring rendition of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” before members of Congress, including Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, presented wreaths at Carter’s casket.

Amy Carter Attends Alongside Family

A number of family members, including Amy Carter, the youngest and only daughter of Jimmy Carter, accompanied him back to the Capitol for the ceremonies.

Amy, born in Plains, Georgia, in 1967, became a public figure when her family moved to the White House in 1977.

At the service, the 57-year-old was visibly emotional, wiping away tears as she honored her father.

Mourners Travel from Across the Nation

Peggy and Preston White made a pact two years ago that they would travel from Oklahoma City to Washington when Jimmy Carter passed away. True to their word, they joined the crowd outside the Capitol on Tuesday night, waiting to honor the former president lying in state. Peggy White, 66, has admired Carter since his governorship in Georgia. In college, she wrote a paper on his rise to the governorship. Following the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979, she enlisted in the Navy, the same branch of military service that Carter had served in. “I truly respect him and believe he was an excellent president. I voted for him twice, and it was heartbreaking to see him not succeed,” said White, a retired postal worker. “He surely was a remarkable person.”

“made up for it with a lifetime of service to our nation.”

− Christopher Cann

Carter’s Remains Arrive at the Capitol

The remains of former President Carter arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon for a well-attended memorial service. His casket was carried up the front steps and positioned at the center of the magnificent rotunda after being honored outside with a 21-gun salute. The gathering included Carter’s family, members of Congress, and other prominent figures, all there to pay their respects.

Caissons Back in Action After Pause

For the soldiers and horses transporting Carter’s casket to the Capitol, Tuesday marked an important and crucial task. The Army had halted the operations of the Caisson Detachment in May 2023 after two horses died during funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. In response, the Army brought in specialists to assist with selecting suitable horses for caisson duty and to develop training programs for the soldiers responsible for their care and riding.

Now, the soldiers and horses have been training for months, with bands playing and cannons firing, preparing for the ceremonial aspects of a president’s funeral, according to Maj. Wes Strickland, a spokesperson for the Old Guard.

“We’re being closely observed,” commented Lt. Col. Derrick Draper, deputy commander of the regiment. “The public will scrutinize every detail, and rightly so. We hold ourselves to the highest standards.” Read more here.

− Tom Vanden Brook

Carter’s Memorial Services Commenced Last Week

The memorial services for Carter began on Saturday in Georgia when a motorcade departed from near his hometown of Plains. The solemn ringing of a bell 39 times disrupted the stillness of a brisk January morning at Carter’s childhood residence.

His remains were transported to Atlanta, the state capital, where he was honored with a moment of silence before a service at the Carter Center.

Who Was Jimmy Carter?

Carter, born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, was the son of a farmer and a nurse, according to his official biography. He grew up in the nearby community of Archery. He attended public schools, went on to the U.S. Naval Academy, and became a nuclear engineer, serving on the second nuclear submarine. In 1946, he married Rosalynn Smith.

After his father’s passing, Carter returned to manage the family farm and also ran a seed and farm supply business in Plains. He served in the Georgia State Senate before becoming governor in 1971.

Carter won the presidency in 1976 as a Democrat, starting his only term at the age of 52. During his presidency, he expanded international diplomatic relations, made investments in the energy sector, and increased the amount of national parkland available to Americans. Nevertheless, he faced challenges like high inflation and the hostage crisis, which may have contributed to his loss to Ronald Reagan in the subsequent election.

After leaving office, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts around the world, addressing preventable diseases. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to “‘finding peaceful resolutions to global conflicts, promoting democracy and human rights, and fostering economic and social development.”

On November 19, 2023, Rosalynn Carter passed away at their home in Plains at the age of 96.

National Day of Mourning Leads to Closures

In accordance with Biden’s announcement of a National Day of Mourning on Thursday, numerous organizations have stated their intention to remain closed that day in tribute to Carter. Federal offices will be shuttered, all Postal Service locations will be closed, regular mail delivery will be suspended, and package delivery will be limited.

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will stop trading U.S. equities and options for that day. The bond markets will remain open but will operate on reduced hours, closing early at 2 p.m. ET, as per the recommendation from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

Chief Justice John Roberts has ordered the Supreme Court building to be closed on Thursday. However, not all businesses and banks observing federal holidays will close.

− Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Honor an extraordinary life with our latest release

In tribute to Carter’s remarkable journey, the YSL News Network is excited to announce the publication of “Jimmy Carter: Peanut Farmer, 39th President, Humanitarian.” This book will celebrate a lifetime of achievements that has inspired many.

You can acquire a piece of American history by ordering a 160-page hardcover edition from the YSL News Network, where dedicated reporters and photographers capture tomorrow’s stories today. Pre-orders are available at CarterPictorialBook.com, and by pre-ordering, you can enjoy a 20% discount at a price of $31.95 plus tax and shipping. The book will be released on Aug. 1, and the standard retail price afterward will be $39.95.