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January 22, 2025Assemblyman Santabarbara Honors President Carter at Rotterdam Monument
Standing beside the recently restored Carter Monument marking his Rotterdam residence, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara hosted a candlelight vigil honoring the 39th president on January 9.
Held the same day President Carter was laid to rest, the event brought community members together to reflect on his “extraordinary legacy of leadership, service and humanitarian contributions, as well as his time as a local resident of Rotterdam, a period that shaped his values of hard work and public service,” Santabarbara said.
Decades before his presidency, Carter and his wife Rosalynn lived in Rotterdam while he served in the U.S. Navy and attended Union College. The Carter Monument, located at the site where they lived, commemorates this unique chapter of his life. Assemblyman Santabarbara played a key role in the restoration of the monument last year, ensuring the preservation of this historical site that connects President Carter to the community.
During his 1977-1981 presidency, Carter championed human rights, brokered the historic Camp David Accords and established the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. His post- presidency years were marked by tireless humanitarian efforts, including his leadership with Habitat for Humanity.
