In an interview with GPB’s Pamela Kirkland, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young recalled former President Jimmy Carter’s deep ties to Georgia. One of Carter's closest allies, Young described Carter as a man of deep faith that shaped his life and leadership. 

“He really was anchored in the Lord. And that made him open to all of God's children, regardless of their nationality, their race, their creed, their national origin or religion," Young said. "It made him a citizen of the world. A disciple of Jesus Christ, who wandered the world, bestowing forgiveness and love on all of us who need it."

 

TRANSCRIPT

Pamela Kirkland: It's Morning Edition. I'm Pamela Kirkland. Jimmy Carter's life and legacy have been celebrated across the country since his passing on Sunday. But for those who knew him personally, he wasn't just a president or a humanitarian. He was a friend, a man of deep faith, and someone who never forgot where he came from. Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young worked closely with Jimmy Carter prior to during his presidency and beyond. He's been a trusted advisor, a confidant, and someone who's seen firsthand how Carter's Georgia roots shaped the way he lived and led. Ambassador Young, welcome back to Morning Edition.  

Andrew Young: Thanks a lot.  

Pamela Kirkland: First, what was your reaction to the news of former President Jimmy Carter's passing?  

Andrew Young: Well, you know, we knew that President Carter had suffered from both brain cancer and some cancer of the intestine somewhere, but he was determined, we knew, not to leave Rosalynn. And yet, from the time he went to Rosalynn's funeral — and I was there — it seemed as though he'd just been hanging on. And I was wondering why. And then he made a statement that he wanted to live long enough to vote for Kamala Harris. And I thought that was really a good reason to live long enough. And I'm glad I lived long enough to do that. But he's been in hospice for over a year. And I had been down there once, earlier this year, but he was smiling and laughing at us, reminiscing over old times. And I felt that whatever was going on, there was a good thing. But he never had any fear of death. In fact, he talked about it often. And. He had a really sincere Christian view of death and life after death. So I've never worried about his departure. In fact, I feel that way about Martin Luther King also, that his body had left us, but his words and his spirit will always be with us.  

Pamela Kirkland: Carter talked a lot about Plains, Ga., being central to who he was. How do you think those roots shaped his perspective? You were just talking about it a little bit, but especially when he was leading on the world stage.  

Andrew Young: Well, his mother went to India in the Peace Corps when she was 66 years old. And she had been the county nurse in Sumter County where she delivered all of the babies, Black and white. And she treated them all like they were her family. And she had the same kind of experience in India. And so he was not alone in this. This was — this was an entire family affair. His children shared much of his belief, and they will do — his children and grandchildren — will do a good job in carrying on the mission of the Carter Center.  

Pamela Kirkland: He's often called the greatest former president because of his post-presidency work. And we talked a little bit about this the last time we spoke. How do you think that phase of his life redefined what public service could look like?  

Andrew Young: Well, I think that public service can and must be a lifetime service. And I don't know why I'm hanging around here, but I keep busy. And anything. I'm invited to do that I feel I'm capable of doing, I don't know how to say no. And I think that's a good way to live and that's the way a lot of people live. They don't consciously have a sense of mission. But I think he did. But I like to disagree a little bit because while he was a great ex-president, I think he brought some integrity and some vision. For instance, if he had remained president for another term, we would all be driving electric cars right now because one of the first things that he did was put up solar panels on the White House. But he also had a poverty program that helped poor people in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and up the East Coast where they put windmills on top of the houses to generate electricity as well as solar panels. And they worked it out with the state power companies that they would be paid for the energy that they generated with their fans and with their solar panels. It's something we should have done here in Georgia and probably will have to do because we're going to have to make it easier for all of us to generate more of our own electricity.  

Pamela Kirkland: Lastly, I wanted to ask if you had to describe Jimmy Carter in one word, what would it be and why?  

Andrew Young: Well, let me take two, a good man. Really, "God's child." I mean, he really was anchored in the Lord. And that made him open to all of God's children, regardless of their nationality, their race, their creed, their national origin or religion. And it made him a citizen of the world. A disciple of Jesus Christ who wandered the world, bestowing forgiveness and love on all of us who need it.  

Pamela Kirkland: Andrew Young is the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and activist humanitarian. Thank you so much for speaking with me on Morning Edition.  

Andrew Young: Thanks a lot. God bless you.  

Tags: Georgia  Jimmy Carter  President Carter  Andrew Young  Plains