Charles Maxwell

As we celebrate the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter today, let us also aim to uphold the principles he embodied:

– He created FEMA in 1979, establishing our collective effort to aid our fellow citizens in times of crisis.

– The Department of Education was created during his term in office, establishing a unified effort to close the education gap in the U.S.

– Signed law establishing the SuperFund, protecting communities impacted by industrial waste.

– He had arguably the most successful humanitarian post-presidency of any former president, from his work through the Carter Center to supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

Jimmy Carter’s life purpose was his fellow citizens. He was the definition of a servant leader. We need more Jimmy Carters in the world today. But he has passed and we are left to pick up the torch. Let us all strive to keep his legacy alive by keeping true to the principles of care and concern for our fellow citizenry that characterized his public life.