House

Speaker Johnson praises Rosalynn Carter’s decades of charitable work

FILE - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters ahead of the debate and vote on supplemental aid to Israel, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) marked the death of former first lady Rosalynn Carter in a statement, praising her years of public service and charitable work.

“Kelly and I are saddened to hear of the passing of First Lady Rosalynn Carter,” Johnson wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“She and President Carter were an outstanding example of love and devotion to one another, and to others through their years of public service and extraordinary charitable works,” he added. “President Carter and the Carter family are in our prayers today.”

Rosalynn Carter died Sunday afternoon at 96 years old, just two days after entering hospice care. She and President Carter were married 77 years, the longest of any presidential first couple. She is survived by President Carter, who is the longest living U.S. president at 99 years old. He entered hospice in February.

Rosalynn Carter was the first presidential spouse to have her own office in the East Wing of the White House. She was a champion of mental health access and awareness and carried that mission with her even after leaving the White House and establishing the Carter Center.