Jimmy Carter to receive top honors for his work
Former President Jimmy Carter will receive two major awards this week, including Panama’s highest honor.
On Wednesday, the 91-year-old Carter will receive the LBJ Liberty and Justice for All Award during a private event at the Carter Center. The award, which will be given to Carter in recognition of his leadership in public service and work in the areas of peace and human rights, will be presented by Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation Chairman Larry Temple.
Former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s daughters, Luci Baines Johnson and Lynda Johnson Robb, will be at the presentation.
The foundation is a nonprofit that supports the LBJ Presidential Library and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
Georgia Congressman John Lewis received the first LBJ Liberty and Justice for All Award in 2010.
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Then, Thursday, Carter will receive Panama’s highest honor during a special ceremony at the Carter Center. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela will present Carter with the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero, named after that nation’s first president.
The Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero, established in 1953, recognizes people in the areas of politics, science, and the arts. It has four grades. Carter will receive the highest grade, the Grand Cross.
Following his presidency, Carter has worked tirelessly on issues related to fair and transparent elections, health, human rights, public service and justice.
In fact, in May 1989, the Carter Center sent its first team of election observers to Panama, where it exposed an attempt by General Manuel Noriega to rig the elections in favor of the candidate he supported.
In May 2015, the Carter Center observed its 100th election.
Last year, the former president was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to his brain, but announced to his Plains church in December that doctors had found no further sign of the disease.
About the Author
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
