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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter
Clinton honors Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter for lifetime service
Clinton praised the Carters for having 'done more things for more people in more places than any other couple on the face of the earth'
August 9, 1999
Web posted at: 8:41 p.m. EDT (0041 GMT)
From staff and wire reports
ATLANTA -- Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, received America's highest civilian honor Monday from President Bill Clinton in a ceremony at the Carter Center.
Calling theirs "an extraordinary partnership" on a "journey of love and faith," Clinton saluted Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for touching "the hearts and lives of others throughout the world," and presented them with the Presidential Medal of Freedom .
Carter was honored for his presidential service, including the breakthrough Camp David Middle East peace accords. He was cited for making human rights one of the cornerstones of his foreign policy.
Carter's post-presidential activities, including efforts aimed at promoting democracy and human rights around the world and fighting poverty, hunger and disease, were also commended.
The former first lady was recognized for her pioneering advocacy and activism for improved mental health care, child immunizations, women's equality, dignity for the elderly and other issues.
Together, "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have done more good for more people in more places than any other couple on the face of the earth," Clinton said.
Earlier in the day, Clinton blasted the Senate's Republican majority for stalling his federal judgeship appointees.
Speaking before the American Bar Association convention in Atlanta, the president said only 11 of his 61 nominees this year have been approved. Clinton accused the Senate of playing politics and clogging the courts "to the breaking point."
 President Clinton presents former president Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter with the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the highest civilian award in the United States.
Jimmy Carter Biography
Rosalynn Carter Biography
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with Medals of Freedom received from President Clinton
The President today will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to
President Carter and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter.
President Kennedy established the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Executive Order on February 22, 1963. He announced the first Presidential Medal of Freedom award recipients in 1963; and President Johnson made the first presentations of the Medal in a ceremony at the White House on December 6, 1963. It is the highest civilian award bestowed by the United States Government. The Medal is awarded by the President only to those persons whom he deems to have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Citizens of other nations may receive the Medal, and honorees may receive it posthumously. Recipients are awarded a medal and a citation signed by the President.
Clinton called Carter's post-presidential work "truly unprecedented in American history, but to call him the 'greatest former president' does not do justice to him or his work. Jimmy Carter's work as president broke new ground and is still shaping events today." Rosalynn Carter will be remembered as "a pioneer for mental health and a champion of our children," Clinton added.
"Mr. President, I'm almost speechless," Jimmy Carter said in accepting the medal. Carter and his wife talked about the "embarrassment, frustration and despair" they felt leaving the White House, only to find waiting for them work more valuable than they could have imagined.
Though the ceremony was at times emotional, it also had its light moments. The Carters gave several tips to Clinton, whose second term as president will end in January 2001. "It will only be a few months before you join our small fraternity," Carter said of himself and former presidents George Bush, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. "I might point out that all but one of us was involuntarily retired.
"There are some downsides," Carter deadpanned. "Golfing partners don't give as many mulligans to ex-presidents as they do to presidents."
The text of the citation presented to the Carters reads as follows:
JIMMY AND ROSALYNN CARTER
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have forged an extraordinary partnership, devoting their lives to improving our Nation and our world. As America's 39th Chief Executive, President Carter placed human rights at the center of his foreign policy, achieved an extraordinary breakthrough for peace in the Middle East, and embraced America's challenges at home with unusual innovation and vigor. As a universally respected international statesman, he has worked to advance peace, democracy and human rights, and to diminish hunger and disease around the globe. A path-breaking First Lady and a powerful force for good, Rosalynn Carter has been a national leader for improved mental health care, childhood immunization, women's equality, and better care for seniors. Together, through their many good works and their powerful example, they have lifted the dignity of people everywhere. For this, they have earned a unique place in our history and the respect and gratitude of all Americans.
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Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel, March 26, 1979
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Medal History
