I first met him when I was a senior in high school, and he was governor of Georgia, long before he became president. It's become commonplace to say he's done more good after being president that he did while he was in the White House. But while he was in office, he focused on matters of energy. He even put solar panels on the White House, and through the Camp David Accords, he brokered a lasting piece between Egypt and Israel. I wish we still had him as a negotiator in the Middle East. He also halted the proliferation of nuclear weapons with the Salt II Treaty with Russia. In 2002, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He is much less known for his vast work on healthcare issues for the poor. I got to know him through his commitment to the matters of faith and health and his support places like church health, but he is best known for his work with Habitat for Humanity after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. He is probably ready to get his carpenter's belt on today.
From all of us who long for return to civility in politics, Happy Birthday, President Carter.
This is Dr. Scott Morris for Church Health.