'He set a benchmark.' Exploring Jimmy Carter's roots in Connecticut
In 1948, Carter moved to New London for a six-month stint to train as a submarine officer.
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Long before former President Jimmy Carter entered politics, he called Connecticut home.
In 1948, Carter moved to New London for a six-month stint to train as a submarine officer. Two years later, Carter returned to the state to serve as the senior officer on the K-1 Navy ship.
Carter's son, Jeff, was also born in New London.
Once Carter was elected president in 1976, newly elected Rep. Chris Dodd was invited to the White House occasionally for breakfast.
"He was a greater listener. People always think in politics being a great speaker is what people want to hear," says Dodd.
Dodd says although Carter served just one term, he set the bar high for life after the White House.
"He set a benchmark," says Dodd. "A lot of presidents have done and their families have done good things when they left, and I think they have Jimmy Carter in mind."
In 2007, Carter spoke at Qunnipiac University's Albert Schweitzer Institute to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Schweitzer's declaration of conscience, which focused on the damaging effects of nuclear testing. Sean Duffy, the executive director of the institute, tells News 12 it was wonderful to have Carter visit.
"He has an incredible history, he was a nuclear submarine officer in his military days and he was actually a nuclear engineer," Duffy says. "He has this scientistic background, but we know him for his political background, and he was involved in some of the really cutting-edge nuclear diplomacy of the 1970s."
Duffy describes Carter as kind and gentle and says it was a privilege to see and meet him.
Carter's service to the country continued following his presidency as an ambassador, an election observer and his work with Habitat for Humanity.
Dodd says Carter's devotion to country will be his lasting legacy.
"When history is written as it will be for years to come, he will be singled out," Dodd says. "Not for his longevity in the White House, there were major things he did while in the White House, but that's not going to be what people talk about when they mention Jimmy Carter. It will be about this incredible human being who decided to constantly give to his country."
