Former U.S. President Wins Noble Peace PrizeJimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States (1977-1981); he is remembered for establishing energy-conservation measures, concluding the Panama Canal treaties, and negotiating the Camp David accords between Egypt and Israel.
Jimmy Carter entered the Democratic Presidential primaries in 1976. Initially, he thought his chances of winning were slim to non against his more popular opponents. At his time, however, the Watergate Scandal was a profound issue on voters minds, so his position as an outsider from Washington D.C. with a fresh voice gave him enough of an advantage. His campaign was effective: he was an excellent debater with solid and innovative plan. He won the democratic nomination and received 50.1% of the popular vote.
Before presidency he served in the navy and helped develop the nuclear submarine program. Carter ran his father's peanut farm after his death, and built a successful business. Carter began his political career by running for governor unsuccessfully in 1966; he then won the position in 1970, succeeding Lester Maddox.
During his presidency, Carter was challenged with an American economic recession. Since World War II, interest rates and inflation were at their peaks. There is speculation that these issues were not dealt with appropriately and may have contributed to his re-election defeat. He also promised to reform the tax system and reduce government bureaucracy during his campaign; however, he failed on the behalf of both.
Carter was highly respected as president for his role in international mediation. He negotiated a successful peace treaty between Egyptian President Anwar al Sadat and Israeli Premier Menachem Begin. It took this trio thirteen days to reach this agreement, known as the Camp David Accords. His administration founded the Departments of Energy and Education, and made numerous laws on behalf of the environment. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center as a meeting place for discussion around issues concerning human rights and democracy.
In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his "efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."
Carter's Christian upbringing followed him into adulthood. Throughout his political career he taught Sunday School, and even as President, he publicly professed that Jesus was the driving force of his life; he prayed avidly.
Carter is the only president to have served as a submariner and on April 27, 1998 had a submarine named after him: The USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23). Since his unsuccessful attempt at re-election, he's still interested in issues around human rights and democracy.
In March of 2004, he publicly condemned President George W. Bush for leading an unnecessary war "based upon lies and misinterpretation." He claimed that British Prime Minister Tony Blair allowed his better judgement to be swayed by supporting the Iraq war.
He continues his life as an accomplished woodworker (occasionally appearing on Fine Wood Working Magazine). He also teachers a Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. | 
