Jimmy Carter's Final Tribute: U.S. Capitol Honors His Legacy As He Lies In State

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's casket arrived at the U.S. Capitol on January 7, 2025, for a somber and ceremonial tribute. His body was brought to Washington, D.C., for military honors and to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, where lawmakers and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects.

The streets of the nation's capital blanketed with snow from a recent storm, were quiet as Carter's casket passed through. Members of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris, Cabinet officials, and Carter's family were present at a service held in his honour.

Photo Credit: PTI

Senate Majority Leader John Thune opened the service, praising Carter's legacy, highlighting his journey from a Navy veteran and peanut farmer to the 39th President of the United States. Thune noted that Carter was "a faithful servant of his creator and his fellow man," emphasizing his humanitarian efforts and commitment to peace. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging Carter's volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and his efforts to promote peace and equality worldwide.

Vice President Kamala Harris described Carter as "a forward-looking president with a vision for the future," commending his humility, grace, and his dedication to the country. "James Earl Carter Jr. loved our country. He lived his faith, he served the people, and he left the world better than he found it," Harris said.

Jimmy Carter's Final Tribute: A Remarkable Life

Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, surpassing the record for the longest-lived president in U.S. history. His beloved wife, Rosalynn, had passed away just a month before in November 2023, after 77 years of marriage.

The journey of Carter's casket to the Capitol was part of a series of memorial events, starting in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. More than 23,000 people visited the Carter Center in Atlanta to honor the former president during his lying-in-repose period. His grandson, Jason Carter, reflected on his grandfather's extraordinary life, saying, "It's a pretty remarkable American story."

Tributes and Remembrance

Carter's remains were flown from Atlanta to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before making the final journey to the U.S. Capitol. The procession was marked by military precision, with a horse-drawn caisson carrying his casket through the streets of Washington, D.C., to the Capitol Rotunda.

Carter will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until January 9, with members of the public invited to pay their respects. A state funeral will take place at the National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9, 2025, where President Biden will deliver the eulogy. President-elect Donald Trump has also confirmed his attendance.

After the funeral service, Carter's remains will be returned to Georgia, where a final private service will be held in Plains, and he will be buried next to his wife, Rosalynn, on their family's peanut farm.

Schedule of Events:

Georgia:

• 9:30 a.m. - Public visitation ends.
• 11:30 a.m. - Departure ceremony at the Carter Presidential Center.
• 12:10 p.m. - Arrival at Dobbins Air Reserve Base for departure ceremony.
• 12:45 p.m. - Board Special Air Mission 39 for departure to Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.:

• 2:15 p.m. - Special Air Mission 39 arrives at Joint Base Andrews.
• 2:45 p.m. - Motorcade to the U.S. Navy Memorial.
• 3:30 p.m. - Procession to the U.S. Capitol.
• 4:30 p.m. - Service in the Capitol Rotunda.
• 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. - Carter lies in state, open to the public for visitation.

Carter's legacy as a president, humanitarian, and advocate for peace will continue to resonate in the hearts of Americans and the world alike. His final farewell is a testament to his service, faith, and lifelong dedication to making the world a better place.