2007-9-14

Former President Carter Gave a Speech after Winning the Prize

James Earl Carter, or Jimmy Carter, was born on Oct. 1, 1924 in Plaines Georgia. From 1941 to 1943 he completed his studies in Georgia Southwestern State University and Georgia Institute of Technology, and then went to study in United States Naval Academy of Maryland (Annapolis Naval Academy) where he obtained the Bachelor Degree of Science in 1947. He served in United States Navy from 1946 to 1953 till his father died. After retirement, he managed Carter farm and Carter warehouse businesses and engaged in political activities. He was ever the Deacon and the Sunday school teacher of Christian Southern Baptist.

From 1955 to 1962, he was elected the president of Sumter County School Board of Georgia, and from 1962 through 1966, the senator of Georgia, during which he also assumed the general manager of Plain Development Company and Sumter County Development Company, as well as the chairman of Georgia Midwest Planning and Development Committee and Georgia Crops Improvement Association. During 1970 to 1974 he was appointed Governor of Georgia, and the chairman of National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1974. In 1977 he was elected the 39th President of America, but failed in the reappointment in 1980. He served as honorary professor of Emory University in Atlanta in 1982.

During Carter's term in presidency, Sino-America foreign relation was officially established. Also Carter played an important role in Egypt and Israel peace talks as well as signing the Camp David Accord.

In 1975 Carter published his autography Why Not the Best, again in succession presented A Government as Honest as His People (1977) and Maintain Confidence, Memo of a President (1982).

On July 4, 1990 he was awarded the Philadelphia Medal of Freedom, and on January 10, 1995 he was honored Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize 1994 initiated by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. In November 1997, the India Indira Gandhi Memorial Foundation granted him Indira Gandhi Prize 1997, so as to reward his contribution in global peace, disarmament and world development. On Dec. 10, 1998 he was given United Nations Human Right Prize 1998.