Jimmy Carter
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata of American Samoa mourned the death of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
Kilili issued the following statement:
“Appreciating his long life and service, Andrea and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived an exemplary life worthy of imitation.”
In his statement, the governor said:
“The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands joins the nation and the global community in mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter, a leader whose legacy of compassion, vision, and dedication to the principles of democracy left an enduring mark on our islands.
“President Carter played a pivotal role in the historic establishment of the CNMI as a Commonwealth in political union with the United States. On October 24, 1977, he signed the proclamation affirming the full force and effect of the Northern Mariana Islands Constitution, a landmark moment in our history. The presidential proclamation helped to mark the dawn of a new chapter of partnership and progress, solidifying the shared values of freedom, self-governance, and mutual respect between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States.
“As we reflect on his remarkable life, we honor President Carter not only for his role in shaping the political landscape of the CNMI, but also for his unwavering dedication to humanity, peace, and service. His efforts in advocating for human rights, combating global health challenges, and championing the values of equality and compassion remain an inspiration to us all.
“The people of the Northern Mariana Islands extend their deepest condolences to the Carter family. May his legacy continue to inspire generations to come, and may we honor his memory by striving to uphold the principles of justice, unity, and progress that he so dearly cherished.”
When the CNMI government was inaugurated in Jan. 1978, President Carter sent his son Jeff to deliver a personal message from the U.S. leader.
In the late 1990s, during the third term of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, former President Carter and his wife briefly stopped at the Saipan airport to refuel their private jet. They were warmly welcomed to the island by Gov. Tenorio and other administration officials.
Fond memories
In her statement, Congresswoman Amata mentioned her “fond memories of the entire Carter family from the time President Jimmy Carter sent his son Jeff and daughter-in-law Annette to Pago Pago. The President designated them as his personal representatives to the first inaugural of an elected Governor of American Samoa, Uifa’atali Peter T. Coleman. My dad had me show them around part of that time, as did others, and in turn, they invited my husband Fred and me for a private dinner in the White House family quarters. This was a particularly generous act on their part to allow us in the areas that few people get to see, including guiding us through the map room, the famous Lincoln bedroom, Queen’s bedroom and third floor. While we were there, President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter arrived and very kindly greeted us.
“That personal kindness is forever part of President Carter’s lasting legacy. He spent his decades of influence as a former President helping people, especially through Habitat for Humanity. As President, his most famous foreign policy achievement is perhaps brokering the sustained peace between Israel and Egypt, signed in 1979 following the Camp David Accords in 1978. This achievement has served the world well for many years, and all supporters of Israel’s right to exist can celebrate it. I know millions of people are thinking of the Carter family, praying for them, and remembering the historic life and personal Christian faith of President Jimmy Carter.”
