Build the Wall, Enforce the Law

This week I signed onto the Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act.

This legislation fully funds President Trump's southern border wall. It also includes important provisions to make communities safer by stopping the flow of federal grant money to sanctuary cities, making alien gang membership grounds for deportation, and requiring that ICE directly addresses undocumented immigrants who are charged with a violent crime resulting in serious injury or death.

I have been to the Southwest border and I have seen the threats we face firsthand. There is much more than just illegal aliens coming across our borders.

It is critical to our national security that we secure our border while addressing the threats already in our country like dangerous sanctuary cities and violent gangs.

This legislation works to combat these threats and accomplish our most important duty to provide for the common defense. I will be working to bring this bill to a vote as soon as possible to support the safety of our communities.

From our Nation's capitol CLXXXIV

Monday, October 15, 2018: This weekend, I did an interview with NBC Nightly News regarding my “gag clause” legislation that was recently signed into law by President Trump. A link to the segment can be found here. This morning I travel to Charleston, SC, to visit the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and meet with my good friend CEO Scott Isaacks. As the CEO of this 152-bed Level 1A tertiary care medical center, Scott also oversees six outpatient clinics in South Carolina and Georgia including those in Savannah and Hinesville.

Rep. Carter visiting the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

After an overview presentation of the facility, I receive an opioid presentation to learn more of the work they are doing to address the opioid epidemic followed by presentations on telemedicine and mental health services offered at the center. Next, I am treated to a tour of the center including visits to the community living center, GI clinic, Hall of Heroes and research building. My final stop is a visit to the Fisher House located a few blocks from the hospital in beautiful downtown Charleston where families of veterans receiving care at the medical center are provided with temporary lodging. To learn more about the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the services they offer visit www.charleston.va.gov. After making the 2 & ½ hour drive back to downtown Savannah, I meet with constituents before heading to Richmond Hill in Bryan County to meet with constituents.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018: I graduated from Groves High School in Garden City in 1975. Another member of that graduating class was Clyde Campbell, a star basketball player who I first met in the 8^th grade at Mercer Junior High School and who I had lost touch with until a few years ago when he came to my Savannah district office to share with me the wonderful work he is doing with Clyde Campbell Ministries, Inc. in the Savannah area.

Rep. Carter at the “Development of a Man Tackling the Hard Issues” Graduation

This morning, I am honored that he has invited me to be the keynote speaker at the “Development of a Man Tackling the Hard Issues” graduation at the Chatham County Jail. This jail ministry that Clyde started helps individuals look at life through a different lens and motivates them to focus on building a team of positive players to help them transition back into society with a positive mindset. Afterwards, I head to Brunswick in Glynn County where I am the keynote speaker at the Brunswick Exchange Club’s weekly meeting. After bringing this great group up to date on the happenings in Washington, DC, I head to Ocean Petroleum in downtown Brunswick and meet with Ashley Davis who runs this family owned and operated wholesale distributor of petroleum products. Next, I head back up to Savannah and during the drive back I have a phone interview with The District, the student run news source for the Savannah College of Art and Design. Once back in Savannah, I meet with the Savannah Board of Realtors.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018: This morning I’m at the offices of Altrus Assisted Living Services in Savannah for an Alzheimer’s Coffee with Congress meeting hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association. The purpose of these meetings is to give caregivers the opportunity to meet Members of Congress and share their stories as caregivers. The stories that I hear today from these brave men and women are amazing and encouraging.

Rep. Carter visiting the Girls on the Run Program at South Effingham Elementary School

Afterwards, I head to the Savannah Police Training Center where I have the opportunity to address the Chatham Area Traffic Incident Management Team, and bring them up to date on infrastructure improvements in our area, including an update on the progress of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). A link to a news clip on this meeting can be found here. Next, I head to the Savannah Treatment Center for a tour of this rehabilitation center that specializes in the treatment of opioid addiction. As the only pharmacist currently serving in Congress as well as being a member of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee that has passed legislation on this subject, I have a special interest in this area and am impressed with the fine work being done here with medication assisted treatment. A link to a clip of my visit can be found here. Next, I head to South Effingham Elementary School in Guyton for a visit with participants in the Girls on the Run program. This great program helps to combat the unfortunate rise in unhealthy behaviors from the young people in our communities by positively influencing their social, physical, emotional and psychological development. Along with community service and the Girls on the Run 5K, these girls are building both character and the confidence they will need to succeed. My last stop of the day is to downtown Savannah where I meet with a group of young professionals.

Thursday, October 18, 2018: I’m at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital on Reynolds Street in Savannah this morning meeting with hospital personnel to discuss maternal mortality and what we can do to address the issue in Georgia. At a recent E&C Health Subcommittee meeting I learned that Georgia has the worst maternal mortality rate in the U.S. and that the pregnancy-related mortality ratio in the U.S. is one of the highest in the world. The purpose of this meeting is to gain insight into the problem from health care professionals dealing directly with the situation.

Rep. Carter at the designation ceremony of Chatham County as an Official Coast Guard Community

A link to a news clip of the roundtable can be found here. Next, I head to West Chatham County for a visit with Pond & Company, an engineering firm that has recently located here from Atlanta, to discuss infrastructure in our district. Afterwards, I head to the Savannah International Trade Center where I am honored to participate in the designation ceremony of Chatham County as an Official Coast Guard Community. Along with the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Karl L. Schultz, and elected officials from Chatham County, the City of Savannah and Tybee Island, I help to celebrate this well-deserved rare honor that our community is so proud of. Afterwards, I head to Park Place in Savannah and meet with directors and representatives from the fine congregate care/group homes for teens and older youth in the First District to learn of the great work they do and discuss concerns they have. My final visit of the day is to Blue Force Gear in Pooler as I tour their new facility and learn about the great work they do in making equipment that will lighten the load of the U.S. and allied warfighter by using advanced materials and proprietary manufacturing methods.

Friday, October 20, 2018: I’m at Savannah State University early this morning as I have the honor of participating in the Step Up Savannah, Bridge the Gap to Prosperity meeting where the Creating Opportunity Awards are presented. These awards are a distinction conferred by Step Up Savannah to community champions that have worked to help realize Step Up’s vision. Afterwards, I head to Ellis Square in downtown Savannah for the “Red, White & Blues BBQ” sponsored by the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire.

Rep. Carter visiting McAllister Elementary School in Richmond Hill

The 200 Club is another example of what makes our community so great as their mission is to provide financial assistance to the surviving spouse and children of local law enforcement officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line-of-duty while protecting our community. Next, I head to McAllister Elementary School in Richmond Hill where I have the great joy of reading Pete the Cat to a kindergarten class and participating in the pep rally as members of the Richmond Hill High School football team and band march through the halls. Afterwards, I head to my Savannah district office to meet with a veteran before heading to the federal courthouse in Savannah for the Southern District of Georgia’s Investiture Ceremony for Judge Stan Baker. Judge Willie Moore will be moving to senior status and replaced by Judge Baker, who is an outstanding choice and I’m sure will do an exceptional job of serving this court for many years to come. My final stop of a very busy week is in Richmond Hill in Bryan County as I have the honor of giving welcoming remarks at the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival, an event started in 1985 that has grown to be one of the most anticipated in the State.