John Rice Carter: “I thank the gentleman for yielding and for hosting this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and to…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and for hosting this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and to remember the life of the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a trailblazer, a great American, a strong Christian, and an icon in the State of Georgia. Born in 1927 in Plains, Georgia, like her husband, Mrs. Carter came from very humble beginnings. She was the valedictorian of Plains High School, and soon after a proud graduate of Georgia Southwestern College. She married the future President, Jimmy Carter, in 1946, whom she remained dutifully married to until her passing this past November. Rosalynn Carter wasn't just any Georgian. She was one of the best. Her entire life exemplified what it means to be selfless, to serve others and her community. She dedicated herself to improving the lives of those around her, the lives of Georgians, and the lives of Americans. She became a pioneer in the mental health space, helping to found The Carter Center with the mission of alleviating human suffering and advancing human rights. She was also active in Habitat for Humanity, building homes for the less fortunate members of our community. Throughout her entire life, Rosalynn Carter lived with the mission of leaving the world a better place than when she got here. I want to pay particular attention to her work in the mental health space.…”