By Andy Sullivan and Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. leaders on Tuesday paid tribute to former President Jimmy Carter — who had the longest and most admired post-presidency in historical past — as he laid in state on the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday forward of his funeral on Thursday.
Members of Congress and several other Supreme Court docket justices gathered round Carter’s (NYSE:) flag-draped coffin underneath the Capitol dome. A number of praised Carter’s actions because the thirty ninth president and the humanitarian work he pursued for many years after leaving workplace in 1981.
“Jimmy Carter was an all too rare example of a gifted man who also walked with humility, modesty and grace,” stated Vice President Kamala Harris, who belongs to the Democratic Social gathering as Carter did.
Republicans John Thune, Senate chief, and Mike Johnson, Home of Representatives speaker, additionally spoke as Carter members of the family and different lawmakers noticed. Amongst them have been Democratic senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, the place Carter served as governor
The rigorously choreographed ceremony got here at a time of transition in Washington as Republican President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take workplace from Democratic President Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Safety is increased than ordinary, with fencing surrounding the Capitol.
Carter’s flag-draped casket arrived on the Capitol on a horse-drawn caisson after a funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue. Relations adopted on foot, in a nod to Carter’s stroll down the boulevard throughout his 1977 inauguration. Cadets from the U.S. Naval Academy saluted the previous Navy submarine officer.
Carter’s stays will lie in state within the Rotunda of the Capitol for the following three days for members of Congress and the general public to pay their respects. His physique will journey by motorcade on Thursday for a funeral service on the Washington Nationwide Cathedral.
Carter, who served one White Home time period from 1977 to 1981, died Dec. 29 on the age of 100.
BODY TO BE RETURNED TO HOMETOWN
The previous Georgia peanut farmer struggled with a foul economic system and the Iran hostage disaster whereas in workplace and was handily defeated for re-election by Republican Ronald Reagan.
Within the many years after, he earned a fame as a dedicated humanitarian and was broadly seen as a greater former president than he was a president. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter lived longer than another U.S. president and had been in hospice take care of practically two years earlier than his demise. His final public look was at spouse Rosalynn’s funeral in November 2023, the place he used a wheelchair and appeared frail.
In August, his grandson Jason Carter stated Carter was wanting ahead to casting a poll for Harris within the Nov. 5 election, which she misplaced to Trump.
Biden has ordered flags at authorities buildings to be flown at half-staff for 30 days as an indication of mourning. That has irked Trump, who has stated they shouldn’t be lowered throughout his inauguration.
At a information convention, Trump reiterated his want to take again management of the Panama Canal, which Carter signed over to Panama throughout his presidency.
Members of the general public will have the ability to view the casket from 6:00 p.m. (2300 GMT) till midnight (0500 GMT).
On Wednesday, public viewing hours will resume at 7 a.m. (midday GMT), and Carter will lie in state within the Rotunda with a army guard of honor for twenty-four hours.
Each Biden and Trump have been anticipated to attend Carter’s funeral service at 10 a.m. (1500 GMT) on Thursday.
Biden was anticipated to ship the eulogy. After the funeral, Carter’s stays might be flown again residence to Georgia. His physique might be interred later that day in his hometown of Plains.
