Recently watching President Jimmy Carter’s caisson return to Washington, D.C., for his funeral, I was reminded of his life and legacy as a president, a life well lived.

Although he started as a peanut farmer in rural Georgia, he served as a Navy officer, became governor of Georgia, ascended to be the 39th U.S. president, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, had the most productive post-presidency, working four decades with Habitat for Humanity, and had great love and loyalty for his wife or 77 years, Rosalynn.

Jimmy Carter, an honest man, who said, “I will never lie to you.” He was a smiling man of gracious humility, seeking unity for our country, with faith and hope as guardrails for our democracy, seeking the greater good for Americans.

President Carter had many accomplishments, including signing into law bills that established the U.S. Department of Energy (before climate change) and the U.S. Department of Education. He appointed record numbers of women, blacks and Hispanics to government positions. His greatest foreign policy achievement was the Camp David Accords and, in the cause for peace, he returned the Panama Canal to Panama. He was greatly respected around the world.

We need to have leaders we can respect, good people who model for our children productive, honest lives. Life is defined with how one lives one’s life, not with “what can I get, but what can I give.” A humanitarian, a true patriot, President Carter gave us his best.

LaREE JOHNSON

Astoria