PLAINS, Ga. (WALB) - The post office in Plains will now go by a new name — The “President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter” post office.

The dedication of the post office on July 2 honored the former president and first lady for their service and commitment to not only Plains, but to South Georgia and to the world.

“He was known to say that despite reaching the highest height of world power, the best thing he ever did was marry Rosalynn,” said Kenneth Cutts, chief of staff for the office of Sanford Bishop.

The legacy of President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will live on. The post office is another testament to the service that most people remember about the Carters - their work outside of the White House. But for the Carter family, the post office symbolizes the beginning of President Carter: when he ran for State, Senate and Governor of Georgia.

Chip Carter, son of the Carters, said he’s excited to have another piece of their family honored in their hometown. He said he hopes this will encourage more people to visit the little peanut town.

“They would love it if they were here. It’s emotional. The people of Plains — These are dad’s friends and his neighbors and people who he walked down the street with. and not only name every name and their children by name too and it’s been a close knit community so I’d like for people around the world come and see this little place that started my parents off,” Chip Carter said.

Jack Brian is the lawmaker who wrote the bill that is dedicated to the Carters. He says the decision to write this bill with Congressman Bishop was to bring postal issues to Congress and to highlight the work the Carters have done in their lifetime.

“This was an opportunity to do something really cool and meaningful to the people of Plains and the people of Georgia for the world to know to know the service that they did, which is incomparable to any other,” said Brian.

Chip says not only is this dedication for the residents of Plains who grew up and knew the former president, but he hopes this will give visitors one extra reason to come to the city.

“These are dad’s friends and his neighbors and people who he walked down the street with and not only name every name and their children by name too and it’s been a close knit community so I’d like for people around the world come and see this little place that started my parents off,” he said.

The message of President and Mrs. Carter is to let the work that you do speak for you. Community leaders in Plains encourage everyone to take a page from the Carters’ book and make a difference in the world.

Mayor: “You can be anything you want to be. And when they told that to President Carter, he listened, he heard it, and he went and was so much to so many people,” said Mayor of Plains Joey Recker.

“No matter who you are, where you’re from, what you look like, who you love, you can make a difference. Even if you’re from a small peanut farm,” said Brian.

The post office, located at 119 W Main St., will forever be known as President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Postal Service, and it’s to remind any who passes by of the service and dedication that the Carters have given to the City of Plains, South Georgia Community, and the entire World.

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