Los Angeles County declared Thursday, Jan. 9 as an official Day of Mourning to encourage county residents to pause, remember and pay tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.
The county declaration was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and coincides with the National Day of Mourning on the same day proclaimed by President Joe Biden.
“President Carter exemplified the highest ideals of leadership, dedicating his life to promoting global peace, uplifting the marginalized, and fostering hope through humanitarian efforts,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.
“Today’s unanimous vote to declare a Day of Mourning demonstrates our shared commitment to paying tribute to a leader who embodied values we hold dear — compassion and service,” she added.
County employees in non-essential services will have the day off to honor and reflect on Carter’s contributions both during his presidency from 1977 to 1980, and the decades after in which he helped build homes for poor people with Habitat For Humanity, worked to eradicate disease in Africa and fought for civil rights and environmental justice.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Administrative activities will be halted for the day, according to Barger’s office, but emergency and essential services will continue such as the Sheriff’s Department; L.A. County Fire Department; Department of Health Services hospitals; and the Department of Children and Family Services that deals with welfare emergency response investigations.
The following departments will be closed: all county libraries; Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector; L.A. County Auditor Controller; L.A. County Parks & Recreation offices; and Los Angeles County Public Works’ administrative offices. But emergency crews will be working, including employees responding to damage from recent windstorms.
All federal employees will have that day off, except for those who cannot be excused “for reasons of national security, defense, or other essential public business,” according to Rob Shriver, acting director of the federal Office of Personnel Management.
“He (Carter) touched so many lives here in Los Angeles County and around the world,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who adjourned the board meeting in memory of President Carter. She called him a man of extraordinary faith and someone ahead of his time.
“He accomplished things that were almost unthinkable at that time. For example, he put solar panels on top of the White House,” Hahn said.
“The climate actions he took were criticized at the time but laid the groundwork for the progress the country has seen since then,” said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Hahn put out a memory book in a corner of the meeting room in the Hall of Administration for people to write their memories, thoughts and messages which will be sent to The Carter Center. “We ask everyone to sign with memories and messages in honor of President Carter,” she said.
“May he definitely rest in peace,” Hahn added.
President Carter’s national funeral service will take place on Thursday, Jan. 9 in Washington DC at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
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