For those of faith, whether that faith be Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, or Islam, this is a week of celebration.

Christians, like myself, are celebrating Holy Week, which ends today on Easter Sunday. It is the time when we remember and give thanks for Christ’s crucifixion and ultimate triumph over death. For us, it is a time of rebirth and redemption.

In the Jewish faith, this week marks the beginning of Passover. Passover, or Pesach, commemorates the Hebrew people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt. For them, it is a time of gratitude and freedom.

The Spring festival Vaisakhi was on Thursday. For Sikhs, this celebrates their founding in 1699, and is a time of renewal as they pay homage to the Panj Pyare, or Beloved Five, who were baptized. For Hindus, Vaisakhi marks an ancient harvest festival and the solar new year.

And all month, the Muslim people are observing Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer in recognition of the holiest month of the year, when Muhammad revealed Islam’s holy book, the Quran.

It is touching to see the religious community come together, whether it is over a Passover Seder or Easter egg hunt, to worship and celebrate their faith. Despite our differences in language, country, and creed, we share a common belief that this week, and this month, holds religious significance.

How beautiful is it, how blessed are we, that each of us has the right to practice our religion in harmony, free from government persecution?

We cannot take religious freedom, the First Amendment, for granted. It is a right, endowed to us by our creator, that is never more than a generation away from being lost.

Freedom of religion is sacred. I pledge to do everything I can, as both a Christian and a Member of Congress, to protect that right against anyone, foreign or domestic, that tries to take it away.

May we all use this Sunday to be grateful for that right.

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefings, Georgia is strengthening Second Amendment rights, while the Biden Administration seeks to take it away. 

Tuesday, April 12, 2022: What a way to start my work-week! I am honored this morning to be back at one of my alma maters, Mercer Middle School, as I speak at their Beta Club induction ceremony. Although it was only a few years ago that I attended school here (ok, actually it was many, many years ago) a few things have changed. When I attended it was called Mercer Junior High School, encompassed grades 7-9, and was located in Garden City. Today, it is referred to as Mercer Middle School, encompasses grades 6-8, and is temporarily located on Montgomery Street in Savannah while the new campus is being built in Garden City. As I have said many times before, speaking to students is one of my favorite activities and today was especially enjoyable. Mercer Middle School’s Beta Club was established in 1977 and is the oldest chartered Beta Club in Savannah but has not been active since 2010. A total of 21 6^th-8^th graders are inducted this morning to reward their good academic performance and community service work.

Afterwards, I head back to Pooler where I have a great visit with the staff of Ranstad, a leading staffing company that provides workforce solutions to a wide variety of area companies. Ranstad has their finger on the pulse of the challenging and changing labor market. Their help in describing the current environment for employers and employees in our District is invaluable information for me.

Next, I head to Savannah Quarters where I have a great meeting with a constituent before heading to the Savannah Air Dominance Center at Travis Field where the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) is located. After I receive a current and future operations brief from leadership, I tour the $24 million 5^th generation hangar that is nearing completion before holding a press conference with local media to discuss Biden Administration's ludicrous proposal to close this facility.

Next, I head to our Savannah district office where I meet with members of the commercial shellfish mariculture community to discuss some of the challenges they are facing in the harvesting of oysters, clams and other seafood.

After a virtual call with corporate friends of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a group who support increasing the CDC’s budget and its overall mission, I head to a meeting on Skidaway Island where I speak to a group of constituents.

My final stop before heading home to Pooler is at the Armstrong Center of Georgia Southern University where I attend a forum of candidates running for the Savannah-Chatham County School Board.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022: I’m up early this morning and on the radio with my good friend, Bill Edwards, on NewsTalk 1290 in Savannah as we discuss topics including the ludicrous suggestion of closing the CRTC at Travis Field.

Next, I join the crew of the Squawk Box on CNBC as I debate my house colleague, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), about the 40-year high inflation rate we are currently experiencing.

Once in our Savannah district office, I have a virtual meeting with members of the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of chief executives representing the nation’s leading health care companies and institutions.

Next, I have an in-person meeting with local patients and caregivers from Voters for Cures, an organization dedicated to pharmaceutical innovation and access. These great advocates share their personal health challenges and raise concerns around policy proposals, like prescription price setting, that could ultimately jeopardize research efforts and keep new treatments out of the hands of patients. Everyone agreed that transparency in the drug pricing process along with rebates going directly to patients instead of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) is the key to lowering prescription drug costs.

Afterwards, I head to the Savannah Downtown Business Association monthly meeting as we hear from Charles Morris, Jr., regarding the successful Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum focused on building stronger leaders and greater collaboration in local communities that was recently held in Savannah.

Once back in our Savannah District office, I meet with a constituent business owner regarding the high cost of health insurance before having a virtual meeting with the Navy League of Georgia where they update me on their support of maritime services.

Next, I head to North Bryan County where I meet with county leaders and assess the devastating impact of last week’s F4 tornado. While the loss of life and horrible destruction of this act of nature are obviously upsetting, the response and outpouring of help by the local community is truly heartwarming. After visiting the overflowing donation center and touring the most impacted areas, I have the chance to stop by the Shriners facilities where they have been cooking and feeding people non-stop since the tornado struck.

Next, I head to my childhood Church, Port Wentworth United Methodist Church, where I have the honor of speaking to their Wednesday night fellowship group before heading home to Pooler and joining a virtual event sponsored by the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA).

Thursday, April 14, 2022: I’m up early again this morning and join Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria as we discuss the worst inflation we have faced in 40 years.

Afterwards, I head to Brunswick in Glynn County where I meet with local radio show host Scott Ryfun before having a meeting with local leaders including State Reps. Don Hogan and Buddy Deloach.

Next, I head to Townsend in McIntosh County where I attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Coastal Community Health Center before heading to Hinesville in Liberty County where I have a virtual interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah to discuss my recent sanctioning by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After a great meeting with Liberty County Industrial Development Authority Chairman CEO Ron Tolley, I head across the street to Bryant Commons where I film a video with Keep Liberty Beautiful Director Karen Bell promoting their upcoming Earth Day celebration.

Next, I head to 17 South Rod and Gun Club in Liberty County where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and afterwards head to Glennville in Tattnall County for the 33^rd annual law enforcement appreciation cookout before taking off to Atlanta.

Friday, April 15, 2022: I’m in Marietta this morning where I meet with leaders of Osmotica Pharmaceuticals for a tour of their impressive facility and to learn more about their growing business. This fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focuses on the development and commercialization of specialty products that markets with underserved patient populations.

After a great visit, I have a series of meetings in the area including with a construction warehouse developer with interests in the Savannah region before meeting with the President of Coca-Cola North America, Alfredo Rivera.

After a virtual interview with the Savannah Morning News (SMN) to discuss a number of topics, I have a meeting with a Pro-Israel advocate followed by a commercial real estate developer.

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