Honoring the life, achievements, legacy, and public service of former President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.

Bill Number

H.Res. 30

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2026-03-04T09:05:46Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 30) aims to formally honor the life, achievements, legacy, and public service of former U.S. President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. It expresses the House of Representatives' recognition of his contributions to Georgia, the United States, and the world, while offering condolences to his family.

Key Provisions

The resolution is structured as a series of factual "Whereas" clauses outlining Carter's biography and accomplishments, followed by four specific resolutions:

• Biographical Background: Details Carter's birth in 1924 in Plains, Georgia; his family farm upbringing; education at Georgia Southwestern Junior College, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the U.S. Naval Academy (graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science); naval service as a submariner, including work on nuclear submarines under Admiral Hyman Rickover; marriage to Rosalynn Smith in 1946; and their four children (Jack, James III, Donnel, and Amy).

• Early Career and State Service: Covers his return to Plains in 1953 after his father's death to manage the family farm; involvement in local politics, including election to the Sumter County Board of Education (1955) and chairmanship; election to the Georgia State Senate (1962), where he focused on curbing wasteful spending and supporting civil rights; and governorship of Georgia (1971–1975), emphasizing desegregation, education and prison reforms, increased Black representation in government, and bureaucratic modernization.

• Presidential Achievements (1977–1981): Highlights his 1976 election as the 39th President with Vice President Walter Mondale; personal style, such as walking to his inauguration; foreign policy successes like the Panama Canal treaties, Camp David Accords (leading to Egypt-Israel peace), SALT II arms control treaty with the Soviet Union, and establishing U.S.-China diplomatic relations; domestic initiatives including creating the Department of Education (1979) and Department of Energy (1977); energy policies via the National Energy Act (1978) for oil independence, renewables, and fuel efficiency; Energy Security Act (1980) with incentives for renewables; and environmental protection through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (1980).

• Post-Presidency Work: Describes his role as a professor at Emory University; founding the Carter Center with Rosalynn (focused on conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, disease prevention—e.g., near-eradication of Guinea worm disease); mediation in global conflicts (e.g., Ethiopia, North Korea, Haiti, Sudan); 125 election observation missions; dedication of the Carter Presidential Center, Jimmy Carter Library and Museum (1986), and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site (1987, later a national historic park in 2021); Nobel Peace Prize (2002) for peace efforts, democracy, and development; Habitat for Humanity volunteering until 2020; and lifelong faith-based community service, including teaching Sunday School for over 40 years.

• Family and Final Years: Notes his 77-year marriage to Rosalynn (who passed before him), 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren; entry into hospice care in February 2023; and death at home in Plains.

• Resolved Clauses:

1. Honors Carter's life, achievements, legacy, and public service.
2. Expresses sadness at his death and condolences to his family.
3. Acknowledges his enduring impacts on Georgia, the U.S., and the world.
4. Establishes Carter's legacy as one of great U.S. leaders and statesmen, emphasizing integrity, humility, justice, human rights, diplomacy, and support for marginalized communities.

The resolution was introduced on January 9, 2025, by Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) with over 100 bipartisan cosponsors and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, not a bill that amends or creates law. It introduces no legal changes, serving instead as a ceremonial expression of congressional sentiment.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact; it may indirectly support historical preservation efforts related to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Library, potentially influencing funding or programming at the National Archives or National Park Service.
• Citizens: Symbolic recognition could educate the public on Carter's legacy, inspiring civic engagement, energy conservation, or humanitarian work. It highlights his role in civil rights and education, potentially fostering national reflection on public service.
• International Relations: Reinforces the U.S. image of moral leadership through Carter's peace and human rights efforts, such as the Camp David Accords and Carter Center mediations, but has no binding diplomatic effects.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Carter Family: Direct recipients of condolences and honors, including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
• Residents of Georgia: Emphasis on his Plains roots, state senate and gubernatorial service, and local sites like the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park.
• U.S. Congress and Government: Bipartisan cosponsorship (from Democrats and Republicans) demonstrates unity in honoring a former president; the Oversight and Government Reform Committee may hold hearings or ceremonies.
• Global Humanitarian Organizations: Groups like the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity, and entities involved in disease eradication or election monitoring benefit from renewed attention to his work.
• General Public and Historians: Broad recognition of Carter's contributions to energy policy, environmental protection, and international peace.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Constitutional: None substantive, as resolutions like this fall under Congress's constitutional power to express views (Article I) without legal force. It upholds traditions of honoring deceased leaders, similar to past resolutions for presidents.
• Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisanship in a divided Congress, with cosponsors from both parties and regions, potentially bridging divides by focusing on shared values like diplomacy and human rights. It may influence future tributes or legacy projects but carries no enforcement power. The timing—shortly after Carter's death—reflects prompt congressional response to national mourning.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Cosponsors (120)

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11] and 70 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2025-01-09: Submitted in House
• 2025-01-09: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Honoring the life, achievements, legacy, and public service of former President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (7 pages)