Bust of Harry Truman.
President Carter’s favorite president is Harry Truman. On the desk is a sign that reads "The Buck Stops Here" on one side and "I’m from Missouri" on the reverse. A similar sign sat on President Truman’s desk, symbolizing his take-charge attitude to the presidency and his belief that final responsibility for national decisions was his. As President Truman said, "The President – whoever he is – has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job."

An example of President Carter’s admiration of Harry Truman is this reproduction of a bronze bust of Harry Truman by Charles Keck. President Truman posed for Keck in the Oval Office, and the bust was cast at the Roman Bronze Works in 1947. The bust was presented to President Truman by the American Legion in a 1947 Oval Office ceremony. Local sculptor Donald Haugen made the Carter Library and Museum reproduction.

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