Former President Jimmy Carter lies in state at U.S. Capitol rotunda

Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Former President Jimmy Carter is lying in state inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C., where Vice President Kamala Harris, House speaker Mike Johnson and Senate majority leader John Thune paid their respects Tuesday. Carter died last month at the age of 100.

"Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace," Harris said in her eulogy before family members and lawmakers gathered inside the rotunda.

"He lived his faith. He served the people and he left the world better than he found it. And in the end, Jimmy Carter's work, and those works, speak for him -- louder than any tribute we can offer," the vice president added.

House speaker Johnson, R-La., was joined by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., in presenting a wreath for Carter's casket on behalf of the House of Representatives.

"President Jimmy Carter brought life-saving medicine in the face of conflict," Johnson said. "He brokered peace in the face of discrimination. He reminded us that we are all made in the image of God. And if you were to ask him why he did it all, he would likely point to his faith."

Sen. Thune, R-S.D., praised Carter's work after his presidency to improve the lives of others.

"President Carter's term as president ended in 1981, and for the remainder of his life -- the longest post-presidency of any American president ever -- he focused on making the lives of his fellow men better," Thune said.

"That meant things like the Carter Center, which, among other things, works for the eradication of disease in some of the poorest areas of the globe. And it meant things like his work with Habitat for Humanity to provide affordable housing for those in need," Thune continued.

Many of Carter's children and grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers Tuesday at the Capitol rotunda, where the late president will lie in state ahead of Thursday's funeral. The public will be allowed to pay their respects over the next two days.

Earlier Tuesday, a plane carrying Carter's casket and family arrived outside of Washington, D.C., for the 3-day state funeral in the nation's capital.

The Boeing 747 -- with the 28000 tail number typically designated Air Force One when the current president is on board -- arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at about 2 p.m. local time.

The flight, dubbed "Special Air Mission 39" to honor Carter's place as the nation's 39th president, lifted off from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia. He had been in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta since Saturday.

The flag-draped casket was transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where family members walked in a procession to the U.S. Capitol.

James Earl Carter Jr. died on Dec. 29 at age 100 in his modest, longtime home in the small town of Plains, Ga., where he was born and raised.

The longest-living American president had been in hospice care for more than a year. His death followed that of his beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter. The two had known each other for more than 90 years. Carter's mother, Lillian Carter, was a nurse who helped deliver Rosalynn in 1927.

The U.S. Navy Memorial was the motorcade's first stop to honor Carter's service as a lieutenant submariner.

Members of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court and scores of other dignitaries gathered at the U.S. Capitol for the lying-in-state ceremony.

On Thursday, Carter's body will return to his home state for a private service at the Maranatha Baptist Church -- where the Nobel Peace Prize winner often taught Sunday School until a few short years ago -- before his burial next to the former first lady at the family home in Plains.

The property was deeded by Carter to the National Park Service and will transition to a national historic site to open as early as this summer.

There are no other events open to the public afterward.

Meanwhile in the nation's capital, thousands are expected to flock to D.C. to stand in frigid temperatures to pay respects to the noted humanitarian and former world leader from 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, and 7 a.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday.

Carter's body will then travel to Washington National Cathedral for his National Funeral Service, where President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy.

According to officials, street closures in the capital related to the state funeral and its listed times are subject to change, and the public should expect parking restrictions to be in place.