Representative Buddy Carter

Memorial Day in Georgia's First

The First Congressional District of Georgia is blessed to be called home by many members of our United States Servicemen and Women. There is also a rich history of dedicated military service that can be felt in the history of our home. From the Revolutionary war to World War I and World War II, all the way to modern conflicts in the Middle East, valiant members of Georgia’s First Congressional District have answered the call to arms in times of need. It is for that willingness to serve and sacrifice, that we are forever grateful.

Tomorrow, Monday, will be Memorial Day, and Americans across the country will be taking a day to reflect and remember the ultimate sacrifice that has been paid by American service members throughout the years. In Georgia’s First Congressional district, we will be spending the day honoring our neighbors, friends, and families that have lost a son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, or father. We are fortunate to have a very rich military history and a strong military community that is worth celebration and honor.

This year, Memorial Day will hit a little bit closer to home as we have lost two of our own in the last year. Sgt. Kennedy Sanders from Waycross and Sgt. Breonna Moffett from Savannah were two beloved daughters, and heroes, of our community that were killed-in-action while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve during their deployment in Jordan. We miss them dearly.

Recently, President Joe Biden signed into law some legislation that I have championed, the Hinesville VA Clinic Renaming Bill. Because of the hard work of our community members and the support of the entire Georgia delegation, this renaming has now become law. The Hinesville VA Clinic is now the “John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley VA Clinic.” This is great way for us to honor four of our communities’ heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this country. All four of these heroes lost their lives during their service in Vietnam and we will carry the memory of their selfless sacrifice with us wherever we go.

I am blessed to be able to represent a district with such a deep respect for our military community. Memorial Day will be a somber day for us, but let’s all continue to live each day more like these heroes that we have lost. A selfless life filled with service, love for one’s neighbor, and love for country.

God bless our fallen heroes and God bless America.

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In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing Memorial Day and how we can honor our district's veterans.

From our nation's capitol cdlx

Monday, May 20, 2024: After flying to Atlanta yesterday afternoon, I head to Truist Park in Cobb County for a live interview with Morning Xtra on WFOM with Scott “Rhino” Rheinhold and Carlos Medina as we discuss news of the day. After a great interview covering many diverse topics, I head to downtown Atlanta where I tour Digital Realty, one of the eight digital relay stations in the U.S. This data center and colocation facility is the largest data center in the southeast region with digital data coming from around the world and being routed all over the southeast. Because of the nature of the business, security is extremely heavy. Next, I head to WSB-TV where I meet with station leaders to learn of the many services they offer as well as the challenges they are facing in this social media era. After a tour of the newsroom and taping an interview with News Anchor Justin Farmer, I head to 11 Alive (WXIA-TV) where I meet with station leadership before touring the facility and having a taped interview with news reporter, Zach Merchant. After a great visit at 11 Alive, I head to the Georgia Poison Center in the Hurt Building in downtown Atlanta where I have a tour of the facility and learn of the great work they are doing throughout the state of Georgia. With highly trained specialists in poison information available 24/7, including registered nurses, pharmacists, and physicians, this center has saved countless lives since its inception in 1970. My final meeting of a very busy day is with the Politics Editor and new Opinion Editor of the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) as we have an off the record discussion of Washington politics.

Rep. Carter joins The Georgia Vote

Tuesday, May 21, 2024: Before heading to the airport for my flight to Washington, I have a virtual call with the Congressional Excellence Program and, during the drive to the airport, I have a virtual call with our district staff. Once back in our DC office, I join in on our all staff conference call before meetings with our scheduling staff followed by our legislative staff and then with our communications staff. Next, I meet with a group of Georgia Doctors who specialize in GI care to discuss the challenges they are facing in their practices Afterwards, I meet with the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) followed by a meeting with the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) before taping an interview in my office with the National Safety Council to discuss my efforts to make Naloxone more available throughout our country. Next, I join in on our weekly Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials (ENV) Subcommittee meeting as we discuss our upcoming work for the week, before heading off Capitol Hill to meet virtually with a group supporting Israel. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week. Afterwards, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to Pierce County golfer Mackenzie Connell who has been named by the AJC as one of the top female golfers in the state.

Rep. Carter interviewed by the National Safety Council

Wednesday, May 22, 2024: I’m headed off Capitol Hill this morning to speak to the Performance Plastics Association but unfortunately when I get to the building it is on lockdown due to a suspicious package that has been found in the area which is not an unusual occurrence in Washington. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to our weekly GOP Conference meeting before heading to an E&C Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee hearing on the proposal to sunset Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. After meeting with the newly appointed CEO of Rayonier and joining in on a call to the owner of a reform school in North Georgia to discuss legislation I am sponsoring to address abuses in reform schools, I head to an E&C Health subcommittee hearing examining the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of drugs, biologics and devices. Next, I head to the Congressional Visitors Center (CVC) where I address the the Institute of Makers of Explosives and afterwards head to the Rayburn House Office Building where I meet with E&C Chairperson Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) to discuss committee business. Once back in our office, I meet with constituents from St. Simons Island representing Enrolled Agents (EAs), federally authorized tax practitioners, before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Once back in our office, I meet with University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES) Dean Nick Place, before meeting with representatives from Professional Hospital Guaynabo in Puerto Rico, followed by a meeting with the Heating, Air-Conditioning Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI). After heading off Capitol Hill to meet with a group, I return to our office for a meeting with Mitsubishi Electric CEO Mark Kuntz before heading to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day. Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to the Frederica Academy girls soccer team for winning their 2^nd straight championship. My final event of the day is off Capitol Hill as I am honored to receive CPAC’s Conservative Achievement Award.

Rep. Carter meets with University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES)

Thursday, May 23, 2024: My day begins off Capitol Hill where I participate in the Meridian Congressional Policy briefing series on the ripple effects of U.S. Industrial Policy. Along with other members of Congress and a number of Ambassadors from around the world, we have a healthy discussion on the challenges and opportunities of clean energy diplomacy. Once back in our office, I film a number of videos before heading to a Budget Committee hearing on breaking up health care monopolies. Afterwards, I head back to our office where I join in on our all-staff conference call before heading off Capitol Hill for a meeting. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week before heading back to our office where I have a call with newly appointed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Melissa Holyoak before filming more videos.

Rep. Carter asks questions at Budget Committee Hearing

votes in the house this week

Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives.