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This week, I joined the "Fire Fauci Act." I support this legislation because China gave us this virus, ruined our lives, and now China and the Democrats are trying to cover it up.
We must fully understand what happened, why it happened, and make sure it never happens again. We have to get tough on China to ensure a thorough and scientific investigation. To do this, we need strong leadership - not Dr. Fauci who simply wants to stay relevant and control the lives of Americans. We have all seen with our own eyes now how troubling his emails are and he should step aside.
We should fire Fauci. |
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Also this week, I introduced legislation to help prevent the Biden Administration from waiving intellectual property (IP) protections for COVID-19 vaccines.
Waiving the IP protections for the COVID-19 vaccines will be a disaster. It will stifle innovation of lifesaving cures by removing the incentives for investment, it's a gift to China who has spent the past year trying to steal our vaccine IP, and it threatens American jobs.
I introduced this legislation to ensure the Biden Administration fully understands the consequences of this terrible decision.
We discuss this and more in this episode of Buddy's Briefing.
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Monday, May 31, 2021: Today is Memorial Day, one of the most special days of the year where we pay tribute to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. On Saturday, I attended the Veterans Council of the Golden Isles Memorial Day Ceremony held for the first time at the beautiful Veterans Memorial Park in Brunswick.
Buddy at the Golden Isles Veterans Council Memorial Day Ceremony |
The keynote speaker was Marine Corps Major General James Livingston, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the State of Georgia. Yesterday, I attended the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 671 Memorial Day Program held at the Vietnam Memorial at Emmett Park in Savannah. This great program included the reading of the 106 names of the men and women that gave their lives in the Vietnam War from the Savannah area and laying roses in honor of them. The keynote speaker was O.C. Fowler, Jr., Commander, USN (Ret). My first event today is the remembrance ceremony hosted by the American Legion Savannah Post 135 at the American Legion Plot in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah where the keynote speaker is my good friend, Chatham County Sheriff John T. Wilcher. Next, I head to Veterans Freedom Park in Bloomingdale for their ceremony where my life-long friend, Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Sav) is the keynote speaker, before heading to Pooler City Hall for their ceremony arranged by councilwoman Karen Williams. The keynote speaker here is Joe Higgins, Veterans Council of Chatham County Chair.
Buddy at the Mighty Eighth Ceremony |
My final event of this special day is at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force where the keynote speaker is LTC Doug Andrews, USA Ret. In one of the most beautiful displays I have ever witnessed, the museum honored fallen airmen with a 26,000 flag display in the Memorial Garden, each with 48 stars, representative of the flag they died under during the war. Later in the afternoon, I head to Columbus in Muscogee County where I will be visiting tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021: I’m delighted to meet with Greater Columbus CEO Jerald Mitchell this morning as he fills me in on the exciting economic development projects going on in the Columbus area as well as areas outside metro Atlanta. Jerald was born and raised in Savannah and has previously worked with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA). Afterwards, I visit Columbus State University (CSU), a part of the University System of Georgia that has an enrollment of more than 7,000 students from the southeast, across the nation and around the world. Offering more that 90 undergraduate and graduate degree options, the school has a downtown campus called RiverPark campus and a main campus outside of the downtown area. Today, I visit the RiverPark campus including impressive sites such as the Riverside Theater, Bo Bartlett Center, Yancy Center and Coca Cola Space Science Center. While all of these sites are most impressive, visiting the Springer Opera House, the state theater of Georgia, is perhaps my favorite.
Buddy visits Columbus State University |
Opened in 1871 by Francis Joseph Springer, the Opera House flourished around the turn of the century and was home to many celebrity performers until motion pictures were invented and live theater diminished. Some years later it was slated for demolition but thanks to the work of a young group of advocates, it was restored to its full glory. Afterwards, I head to Global Payments (formerly TSYS), a leading pure play payments technology company that delivers innovative software and services to customers globally. After a great visit here, I head south to Albany in Dougherty County and, during the drive, I have a call with Tirzah Daniel to inform her that after trying for two years and just completing a successful year at Savannah State University, she has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Class of 2025. Needless to say, these type of calls are among the most rewarding experiences that I have. Once in Albany, I have a meeting with former Waycross-Ware County Development Authority Executive Director and current Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Authority CEO Jana Dyke.
Wednesday, June 2, 2021: It is truly a pleasure this morning to meet with former State Representative Jimmy Skipper at his office in Americus as we have the opportunity to catch up and share our experiences in the Georgia State Legislature. Although Jimmy left the year that I entered the Georgia House of Representatives, I have heard numerous stories of his fine work as Majority Leader of the House.
Buddy tours Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital |
Afterwards, I head to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany where I am led on a tour of their most impressive innovation and simulation lab by CEO Scott Steiner. Phoebe Putney is a 691-bed teaching hospital and a regional center for cancer treatment, cardiac medicine/surgery, gastrointestinal disease and neuroscience. Next, I have a great visit with Southern Spine & Health, a multi-disciplinary medical health care and wellness center before heading to the studios of WALB-TV for a taped interview. A link to my interview can be found here. Afterwards, I head to Taurus Gun Manufacturers in Bainbridge where I have a great visit and see how they assemble some of the most robust firearm brands currently available on the US market. Next, I head to Valdosta in Lowndes County.
Thursday, June 3, 2021: After a series of meetings in the area, I head to the Greater Valdosta United Way where I meet with Executive Director Michael Smith and heads of various agencies in the area. These groups have endured the pandemic and continue to provide much needed services to the area.
Buddy visits Moody Air Force Base |
Later, I head to Moody Air Force Base where I meet with new 23rd wing Commander Col. Russell Cook as he gives me an update on the base and afterwards we witness the fini flight of former 23rd wing Vice Commander Col. Benjamin Conde. A fini flight is a military aviation tradition which marks a pilot’s retirement from the Air Force. This great tradition reminds us of the camaraderie that exists among our military. Once back outside the gates of the base, I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before more local visits and then heading home to Pooler. |
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