Jimmy Carter Honored at Capitol; National Day of Mourning Declared for January 9

Jan 7, 2025, 10:42 PM

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, is being honored in Washington, D.C. His casket arrived at Joint Base Andrews on January 7 and was transported in a funeral procession, which included a stop at the U.S. Navy Memorial to honor his service as a Navy lieutenant, to the U.S. Capitol where he will lie in state. A memorial service was held in the Capitol Rotunda, featuring performances by the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club and a 21-gun salute. Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune delivered eulogies, highlighting Carter's humility, service, and humanitarian legacy. Harris shared a story of how Carter and his wife Rosalynn gave up their room during a Habitat for Humanity trip to a couple who had postponed their honeymoon. President Joe Biden declared Thursday, January 9, as a National Day of Mourning in Carter's honor, with federal offices and agencies to be closed, and services such as postal delivery and the stock market pausing operations. Carter's legacy includes his commitment to humanitarian efforts and nonprofit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, which he and Rosalynn supported for nearly 50 years after leaving the White House. Carter will be buried beside his wife in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, following the funeral in Washington, D.C.