FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 09, 2025
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
President Jimmy Carter Remembered as Health Care and Human Rights Champion
(Washington, DC) – Today, Young Invincibles joins the nation in mourning the loss of President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States as he is laid to rest.
From his tenure as Georgia’s Governor to his presidency, Jimmy Carter consistently championed human rights, higher education, and health care nationally and globally. He proposed a National Health Plan to expand access to care and shield Americans from the financial devastation of serious illness. Internationally, he spearheaded the campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease, training over 100,000 village-based health workers. His efforts have led to a reduction in cases by over 99.99 percent.
President Carter was deeply committed to the civil rights movement and worked tirelessly to advance racial equality. As a Georgia state senator, he fought to overturn laws that disenfranchised Black voters. He launched the Black College Initiative during his presidency to provide greater federal support to historically Black colleges and universities.
In 1979, President Carter established the Department of Education by restructuring the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, divided into the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education.
Following his presidency, he founded the Carter Center at Emory University, which is devoted to issues relating to democracy and human rights, which won him his Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. In addition to the Carter Center, he was a University Distinguished Professor at Emory, hosting town halls and luncheons, and often appearing in classes and special forums to talk with students. Furthermore, after his tenure as President, he worked closely with Habitat for Humanity International and created the Carter Work Project, which resulted in nearly 5,000 homes being built in 14 countries.
His impact on the country, inside the White House and beyond his time as President was tremendous and will not be forgotten.
In response, Kristin McGuire, Executive Director for Young Invincibles issued the following statement.
“President Carter’s work in office and beyond laid the groundwork for millions of young adults to prosper. Following his presidency, he remained a champion of democracy and a prominent advocate for health care, human rights, and housing. Through his work with the Carter Center, he prioritized engaging in critical conversations with students and young adults about the issues that mattered most to them. His unwavering dedication inspired tangible change for the future of our country. President Carter was a leader whose legacy resonates with advocates and fuels opportunity for future generations. Young Invincibles will continue to honor his memory and push for health care expansion, accessible higher education, and a seat at the table for everyone.
We mourn the loss of President Carter and are keeping Amy, Donnel, Jack, and James in our thoughts.”
###
Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org