Senators Reverend Warnock and Ossoff led the introduction of the “Honoring the life of First Lady Rosalynn Carter” resolution 

Bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by the entire U.S. Senate

Resolution extends sympathies of the Senate to President Carter and the Carter family; honors the life of First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her contributions to the United States of America

Senator Reverend Warnock on the introduction of the resolution: “Her work was not about politics—it was about uplifting the vulnerable, showing mercy, and embodying the belief that we are all connected”

Washington, D.C. – Today, following the introduction led by U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA), the United States Senate passed a resolution honoring the life and legacy of the former First Lady of Georgia and the United States, Rosalynn Carter. It recognizes the support she provided to President Carter during his presidency and her work in expanding the role of the First Lady. This resolution celebrates her efforts to destigmatize mental illness and improve access to mental health care, as well as her work to support aging Americans and caregivers. This resolution also acknowledges her leadership at the Carter Center, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, and her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. 

“As a champion for all Georgians, Rosalynn’s impact on our state was immeasurable. She embodied the principles of love, justice, and humility that resonate in our faith traditions,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Moreover, her commitment to destigmatizing mental health care, strengthening human rights, and improving global health was an extension of her faith and a testament to her caring spirit. Her work was not about politics—it was about uplifting the vulnerable, showing mercy, and embodying the belief that we are all connected.”

“A former First Lady of Georgia and the United States, Rosalynn Carter’s lifetime of work and her dedication for public service changed the lives of many,” said Senator Ossoff. “Among her many accomplishments, Rosalynn Carter will be remembered for her compassionate nature and her passion for women’s rights, human rights, and mental health reform. The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter.”

See HERE and below for the text of the resolution: 

Whereas Rosalynn Carter was born Eleanor Rosalynn Smith on August 18, 1927, in Plains, Georgia;

Whereas, as a student, Rosalynn Carter excelled in her academic studies, graduating as valedictorian of her class at Plains High School and from Georgia Southwestern College in 1946;

Whereas Rosalynn Carter married James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr. on July 7, 1946;

Whereas Rosalynn Carter was married to President Jimmy Carter for 77 years, and together they had 3 sons, 1 daughter, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren;

Whereas Rosalynn Carter served as First Lady of the State of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and First Lady of the United States

from 1977 to 1981;

Whereas, as First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter served as a committed partner to President Carter throughout his presidency, expanding the role of First Lady, sitting in on cabinet meetings, and representing the Carter administration on foreign trips;

Whereas, as First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter advanced mental health care and services for aging individuals, pushing for the establishment of community mental health centers and becoming the second First Lady to testify before Congress when she advocated for the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-398);

Whereas Rosalynn Carter and President Carter, after leaving the White House, founded The Carter Center with the mission of resolving conflict, eradicating disease, and promoting democracy worldwide;

Whereas Rosalynn Carter remained devoted to her mental health work, establishing The CarterCenter’s Mental Health Program to reduce the stigma around mental illness and to improve insurance coverage of mental health care;

Whereas, in 1987, Rosalynn Carter founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, in Americus, Georgia, with the mission of providing training and support for family caregivers, recognizing that everyone will be a caregiver or need a caregiver at some point in their lives;

Whereas Rosalynn Carter and President Carter were enthusiastic volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, working on over 4,000 homes in 14 countries during their 35 years of volunteering;

Whereas Rosalynn Carter and President Carter jointly received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, making them one of few married couples to receive the highest civilian honor in the United States; and

Whereas Rosalynn Carter leaves behind an honorable legacy of humanitarian work and wholehearted commitment to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate—

(1) mourns the passing of First Lady Rosalynn Carter and extends its sympathies to her husband, President Carter, and her family; and

(2) honors the life of First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her contributions to the United States of America.

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