Representative Buddy Carter

It's going to take all of us

What has a large veteran population, several branches of the military, and over 100 miles of pristine coastline? The First Congressional District of Georgia.

Here in GA-01, we are all incredibly proud of our brave sons and daughters who sacrifice their own safety to protect ours. We are proud of the Jasper Greens, Mighty 8th Airforce, 3rd Infantry Division, and members of our community who have served in Europe, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and across the globe.

But just like we need these heroes to keep us safe, they need us, too. This week, my office hosted a veterans resource fair to connect veterans and their families with the resources and benefits that they earned through selfless service.

The veterans resource fair was a great success. The Veterans Affairs Administration, veterans’ services organizations, and more came together to meet face-to-face with those they serve.

It was especially impactful that we were able to gather veterans together this week, as America recognized the tragic anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan. On August 26^th, 2021, 13 American service members were killed in the Biden-Harris botched withdraw from Afghanistan. Their names are:

Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover

Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo

Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee

Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez

Marine Cpl. Daegan Page

Marine Cpl. Humberto Sanchez

Marine Lance Cpl. David Espinoza

Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz

Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum

Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola

Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton Soviak

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss

August 26th serves as a sobering reminder of what our service members sacrifice in the names of freedom, liberty, and democracy. Speaker Johnson announced that each of those 13 service members will be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal, presented to their families, and I look forward to seeing them get this recognition in the United States Capitol. This is the highest honor in Congress, and it could not be going to more worthy Americans.

While we can never fully repay them, we must continue to honor, remember, and support everyone who serves in our military, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

While at the veterans resource fair, I took a moment to reflect and appreciate not only our veterans, but the many members of our district who are committed to helping these folks both during and after their service. Two days after this impactful and solemn anniversary, it was uplifting to see a community rallying around one another to do something, however small, for our heroes. While not all of us will be called to serve our nation in the form of military service, we are all called to help our neighbors and show gratitude to those who allow us to have the freedoms and opportunities that we do. I’m proud to represent a district that answers that calling.

Thank you all. God bless our troops, God bless our veterans, and God bless America.

Buddy's Briefing

On this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the second stop I made in our 'Take Buddy to Work' initiative. We stopped at Pooler Paws, and it was as impactful as it was adorable.

from THE FIRST DISTRICT CDLXXIII

Monday, August 26, 2024: Although it was not part of my official duties, I did want to mention that this past weekend I attended the reunion activities for the Ware County High School Class of 1974 of which my wonderful wife Amy is a part. It was a delightful time in Waycross for a great group of people!

Yesterday, I joined Scripps News for a live interview to discuss the upcoming presidential election now that both tickets have been set. This morning, I have a live radio interview with my good friends, Joe Wille Sousa and Robbie Sue with The Wave in Brunswick, to discuss our upcoming veterans resource fair that will be held on Wednesday in Savannah.

My second stop in our ‘Take Buddy to Work’ campaign is this morning and we find ourselves at Pooler Paws which, interestingly enough, is located in Port Wentworth in West Chatham County. This local organization helps control the feral cat community by trapping, neutering, and returning feral cats. Started in 2019 by Julie Haynes, it also re-homes cats and kittens that demonstrate friendly or non-feral behavior. In fact, last year they re-homed over 500 cats! I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the caring, dedicated staff here and how fortunate we are to have them providing this much needed service to our area.

Afterwards, I head to JCB in Pooler where I meet with my good friends, CEO Richard Fox-Mars and Chris Giorgianni, VP of Product, to discuss the state of manufacturing in our district. Afterwards, I am honored to speak to the associates of JCB as part of a stop of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) bus tour across the country. After speaking to the group, I have interviews with a couple of local TV stations before boarding the AEM Manufacturing Express bus where I film a segment for their ON BOARD series.

Next, I head to our Savannah district office where I am honored to be the guest speaker at a Managed Health Care Associates (MHA) town hall meeting as I bring them up to date on health issues in Washington. Later, I have a meeting with a couple of veteran constituents to discuss the upcoming presidential election before heading to downtown Savannah where I meet with a group of constituents to get their feedback on the economy and national issues. Afterwards, I head out to Tybee Island where I am honored to speak to the Tybee Island Republican Club.

Rep. Carter visits Pooler Paws

Tuesday, August 27, 2024: I’m up early this morning and pre-tape an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in which we discuss the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the impact it has had on our economy and budget. Afterwards, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County and, during the drive, I have a radio interview with my good friend Scott Ryfun with StraightTalk to discuss tomorrow’s veterans resource fair in Savannah.

Once in Richmond Hill, I am honored to speak at the ribbon cutting ceremony of ExperCARE, which is expanding its services at the existing facility to include primary care services along with the existing urgent care services. This innovative model will potentially address the issue of access to primary care services in our district and country.

Afterwards, I head to Savannah City Hall where I have the honor of speaking to the 2024 Leadership Savannah class and sharing with them my experiences in public service. After a meeting with Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce officials, I head to Jesup in Wayne County and, during the drive, I join in on our all staff conference call.

Once in Jesup, I head to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI Jesup), where I meet with the executive staff, including Warden Gary Swaney, for a tour and update on the challenges the facility is facing. FCI Jesup is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice and has two adjacent satellite facilities, a low-security facility and a minimum-security prison camp, housing male offenders.

Rep. Carter attends the ExperCare Ribbon Cutting

Wednesday, August 28, 2024: After stopping by the Brunswick district office to film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and Material Minute as well as a welcome message for the American Optometry Association, I head to the Armstrong Center on Abercorn Street in Savannah where we are hosting our veterans resource fair today. We have one of the largest veteran populations in the county in our district and are hosting this fair to make certain our veterans are aware of the services available to them. The fair is a huge success with numerous vendors and great attendance.

Afterwards, I head back down to Brunswick where I have the honor of addressing the Coastal Republican Women’s Club at their monthly meeting before turning around and heading back to the airport in Savannah where I have an on-camera interview with WTOC-TV before heading to Atlanta for the remainder of the week.

Once in Atlanta, I head to The Shepherd Center where I have the honor of speaking to the Right Group before heading to a meeting with a Jewish coalition.

Rep. Carter at the Veterans Resource Fair

Thursday, August 29, 2024: I’m up early and live on Newsmax as I discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Savannah this week before heading to NCR Atleos in midtown Atlanta where I meet with CEO Tim Oliver and Jordan Dawson, Head of Global Government Relations. NCR Atleos is one of the two companies that resulted from the split of NCR and is an ATM solutions company.

After a great visit, I head to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) where I have a preview of the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital that will be opening in the next month. I’m lead on a tour of this state-of-the-art facility by John Smith, Children's VP of Government Relations, Ron Frieson, Children’s Chief Operation Officer, and other hospital leadership. Among the sections I see are the level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and Emergency Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorder Center, and the helipad. This facility is truly state of the art.

Next, I head to downtown Atlanta for a meeting with ARxC, a patient coalition, headed by Maria Thacker-Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Bio, and other health care executives. After a great meeting, I head to midtown Atlanta for a meeting with the General Consulate of Japan, Mio Maeda, as we discuss ways we can attract more Japanese business investment into Georgia.

After a great meeting with members of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) where we discuss antisemitism and Israel, I head to Hillside, a leading mental health treatment provider for children, adolescents, and families. Located on a beautiful campus in Atlanta, Hillside offers residential treatment as well as extended day programs. Afterwards, I head to the Capitol City Country Club in Brookhaven where I visit with my good friends Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and my former House colleague and former U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Rep. Carter meets with the General Consulate of Japan

Friday, August 30, 2024: Today is interview day and I begin with a quick call to my good friend Scott Ryfun with Straight Talk to discuss my work in the district this week. Later, I have a virtual interview with 11 Alive in Atlanta to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Savannah. Afterwards, I join my friends on Politically Georgia to discuss Harris’ visit and the importance of Georgia in the presidential race this year. My final interview is live on Newsmax where I once again discuss the Vice President’s visit to Savannah this week.