Utah governor orders flags lowered as local politicians, community leaders pay tribute to Carter

SALT LAKE CITY — In the hours after the announcement of former President Jimmy Carter's passing, elected leaders, lawmakers and others in Utah are sharing their condolences and their tributes.

Sunday evening, Gov. Spencer Cox issued an order for flags at all state facilities to be lowered to half-staff for 30 days, effective immediately. They will remain that way until sunset on Jan. 28, the governor's announcement said. He also invited private citizens, businesses and organizations throughout Utah to do the same.

Cox and other leaders shared their thoughts in the social media posts below:

Carin Crowe, CEO of the Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake, also shared her thoughts.

"President Carter was more than a global statesman; he was the very embodiment of service, compassion, and a relentless commitment to justice and equality," her statement read in part. "Through his partnership with Habitat for Humanity, President Carter transformed the concept of volunteerism, showing us all that a hammer, a nail, and a willing heart can be tools of profound change. His unwavering dedication to building homes and hope alongside his beloved wife, Rosalynn, set a standard of humility and service that continues to inspire countless volunteers and communities. Together, the Carters worked shoulder to shoulder with families in need, emphasizing that decent and affordable housing is not merely a privilege but a fundamental human right."

Crowe spoke with FOX 13 News Sunday night, sharing a personal story involving the former president. She said she sent a petition dealing with animal cruelty to the White House when she was eight years old. A month later, she received a signed response from the former president.

"The statement was that children such as myself will have a change in the world," said Crowe. "As an eight-year-old child, I had no knowledge that one day I would be working at Habitat for Humanity."

FOX 13 News also spoke to Ed Blake, who recently retired as CEO of the Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake area in June.

"I consider President Jimmy Carter a mentor to the whole Habitat for Humanity organization," said Blake. "He's the one that expanded the organization. He was the anchor of the organization."

In his 14 years as CEO, Blake says he got to be in the same room as the former president during a yearly conference in Atlanta.

"He commands a room — not with authority, but quite frankly with charisma, and I've never experienced anything like it," said Blake.

Blake touched on the former president's four-decade-long involvement with Habitat for Humanity, which included building homes all across the world.

"He was driven really to do that work on those Habitat builds, and I don't think anyone ever left one without dearly loving the man for what he represented," said Blake.

The former president left a lasting mark on many, like Crowe and Blake.

"He brought something so powerful and so unique that it'll be difficult to replicate," said Crowe.

"I don't know that we're ever going to find someone else quite like Jimmy Carter," Blake added.

Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis:

“President Jimmy Carter said, ‘The test of a government is not how popular it is with the powerful and privileged few, but how honestly and fairly it deals with the many who must depend upon it.’ As Democrats, we share President Carter’s commitment to making the American Dream available to all, regardless of the circumstances of birth. May we learn from President Carter’s example as we work towards a government that works for all Americans.”