Georgia native Jimmy Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

[2] In 1976, Hart had served as a volunteer on Carter's campaign during the 1976 United States presidential election.

[2] Hart wished to portray Carter as an "everyman" and a "working man", and thus the statue depicts him in khakis and with the sleeves of his shirt rolled up.

[2] Carter's arms are outstretched with open palms, and his belt buckle depicts a fish on it.

[5] A 12,000-pound (5,400 kg) granite slab serves as a backdrop for the statue, which is surrounded by an elliptical plaza that features four benches, also made of granite, that are each inscribed with phrases relating to Carter's life, such as "humanitarian", "peacemaker", and "teacher".