AR 11: Relative to President Jimmy Carter Day.

WHEREAS, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, dedicated his post-presidency to advancing humanitarian causes, including his unwavering commitment to affordable housing through his partnership with Habitat for Humanity; and

WHEREAS, For more than 35 years, President Jimmy Carter exemplified his steadfast belief that the power of service and volunteerism can transform lives and communities and acted as a strong voice and champion for affordable, decent housing for every American; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with 19 low-income families in need of housing, which was to become the annual “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project”; and

WHEREAS, The Carters’ support for Habitat for Humanity’s global mission has created broad support for its work. The Carters’ efforts helped raise awareness of the critical need for decent and affordable housing in the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, President and Mrs. Carter have been referred to by many as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers during the 35 years they helped build decent and affordable housing with the organization, personally hosting Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project through 2019; and

WHEREAS, The Carters brought the Carter Work Project to the State of California on four occasions: to San Diego in 1990, to Los Angeles in 1995 and 2007, and to the East Bay in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Since 1984, the Carter Work Project has touched lives around the world by inspiring more than 108,000 volunteers to help build, renovate, and repair 4,447 homes in 14 countries; and

WHEREAS, A core requirement to becoming a Habitat homeowner is an agreement to complete 500 “volunteer” hours in partnership with the local Habitat staff and volunteers, building the home you will purchase; at every build, President Carter worked alongside aspiring homeowners as well as corporate and community volunteers, people with different talents and one shared vision: making the dream of owning a home a reality; and

WHEREAS, In California, thousands of community leaders, volunteers, and donors across all regions have been inspired to join Habitat for Humanity’s efforts; and

WHEREAS, Home ownership fosters stability, strengthens communities, increases educational outcomes for children, and builds generational wealth, addressing systemic inequities and creating pathways for families to thrive; and

WHEREAS, President Carter’s advocacy for affordable home ownership amplifies California’s ongoing efforts to uplift families and ensure all residents have access to home ownership; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly of the State of California takes great pride in honoring President Jimmy Carter’s legacy and his actions to build, preserve, and ensure affordable home ownership for all of California’s families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Assembly of the State of California recognizes December 29, 2024, 2025, and each December 29 annually thereafter, as President Jimmy Carter Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.