January 8, 2025
He lived his faith, he served the people and he left the world better than he found it. And in the end, Jimmy Carter’s work and those works speak for him louder than any tribute we can offer.
Vice President Kamala Harris in remarks on Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol building, where President Jimmy Carter will lie in state until his formal state funeral on Thursday. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) also delivered eulogies at the service.
Why It Matters: The nation’s leaders gathered in the U.S. Capitol, part of a series of tributes and events dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of America’s 39th president. President Carter, who died December 29th at 100 years old, was taken to the U.S. Capitol by a horse-drawn caisson (a military wagon) where his remains “lay in state” in the Rotunda.
Pres. Carter’s casket rests on the catafalque, a wooden frame that supports a coffin. The catafalque was first used by Pres. Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and has held most of the coffins that have lain in state.
Why We Do It: To lie in state began as a royal tradition that America adopted, beginning with Sec. of State Henry Clay in 1852. Congress now decides who can lie in state, as it remains one of the nation’s highest honors reserved for government and military officials. Twelve presidents have lain in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda prior to this week.
Read More: The former president’s body will lie in state until Thursday (The New York Times)
Jimmy Carter continues to lie in state at Capitol Rotunda ahead of his state funeral (The Associated Press)
Image Credit: House Creative Services
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
