On what would have been the late President Jimmy Carter’s birthday this October, the U.S. Postal Service plans to release commemorative Forever stamps honoring the humanitarian and former head of state.
Carter was born on Oct. 1, 1924 in Plains, Ga., and died last December. His stamp is expected to be release the stamp in Atlanta, the capital of his home state.
“Representatives of the Friends of Jimmy Carter, the National Park Service and the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the stamp art today at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains,” said the USPS Monday.
A peanut farmer, Carter was an outsider in national politics who represented a new generation of progressive Southern politicians, per the USPS. Before he was elected to lead the U.S., he served in the Navy and as a state lawmaker.
“In 1962, he won election to the Georgia Senate. He lost his first gubernatorial campaign in 1966, but won the next election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on January 12, 1971,” the Carter Center shared. “He was the Democratic National Committee campaign chairman for the 1974 congressional and gubernatorial elections.”
He was inaugurated as president in 1977 and served one term in office. In that short time, Carter managed to leave a mark with appointments of women and minorities, a commission on mental health, new cabinet departments, expansion of the National Park System and more.
After leaving the White House, Carter became an activist for human rights, social justice and economic progress worldwide. He established The Carter Center in 1982 with his wife Rosalynn and received the Nobel Peace prize in 2002.
“The stamp program celebrates the best in American culture, places and people, and it is difficult to consider a more fitting honoree than former President Jimmy Carter,” said Peter Pastre the Postal Service’s government relations and public policy vice president. “In his support and leadership of his beloved community, state, and nation, he lent his quiet, thoughtful and deliberate energy around causes he believed in, and most certainly in his conduct and accomplishments as a former President, Jimmy Carter truly personified the best in America.”
Carter’s stamp will depict an oil-on-linen portrait of the former president from 1982, the same year The Carter Center was established. It was painted by artist Herbert E. Abram, and Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.
“The Carter family and the Friends of Jimmy Carter are honored to be able to take part in revealing the design for President Carter’s Forever stamp,” said Kim Carter Fuller, Carter’s niece and executive director of the Friends of Jimmy Carter. “Together we’ve had the distinct privilege of a front row seat to his life and legacy, and today’s reveal gives the world an opportunity to share his legacy with others on a daily basis.”
Stamps are available through the USPS Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations.