As President Jimmy Carter lies in state at the U.S. Capitol, Republican Senator John Thune is honoring Carter’s remarkable life of service.
During a memorial service on Tuesday, Thune emphasized Carter’s deep faith and his dedicated work with Habitat for Humanity, an organization that brought him to South Dakota.
Thune recalled Carter’s hands-on involvement in Habitat builds, particularly in 1994 in Eagle Butte, where the former president worked alongside volunteers to help families secure homes.
Thune praised Carter’s commitment, noting that even in his 90s, he continued to don a hardhat and work on construction sites.
Carter’s remains will remain at the U.S. Capitol until Thursday morning before being laid to rest in Georgia next to his wife, Rosalynn.