Statue of a Casual Jimmy Carter Is Formally Unveiled in Georgia

A bronze, life-size statue of former President Jimmy Carter was unveiled Tuesday on the state Capitol lawn to a crowd that included many of the Georgians who went with him to Washington.

Members of the crowd stood as former First Lady Rosalynn Carter helped remove a cover to reveal the statue of Carter in work clothes, with his sleeves rolled up and his hands outstretched.

“They really did a wonderful job,” said Jody Powell, the former press secretary. “I just think that’s very appropriate.”

Sculptor Frederick Hart, whose other works include a statue of servicemen at the Vietnam War memorial in Washington, said he hoped to capture Carter’s humanity. Carter said he liked the portrayal. “It was that image that put me in the White House and the governor’s office, and I hope I can remain . . . (like that) in the future,” he said.

The statue is the focal point of an elliptical plaza in which a six-ton stone of a rare type of pink granite forms a backdrop. Four granite benches encircle the plaza, each inscribed with phrases paying tribute to Carter’s work as humanitarian, peacemaker, teacher and poet.

The statue and monument cost about $400,000.