This week's edition of Buddy's briefing comes to you from Alma, GA.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021:  Last week, I was honored to be asked to speak at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's Annual Congressional Luncheon held in Columbus.  Alongside my friend and Congressional colleague, Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), we discussed agriculture, telecommunications, and trade issues in our state and nation.  I also had a live radio interview with Sirius XM's POTUS w/ Julie Mason. We discussed talk mask policies during the COVID delta variant surge, plus the ongoing fight over the debt ceiling. A link to my interview can be found here. I was honored last week to receive an award from the Conservatives for Clean Energy of Georgia (CCEGA) at their meeting on Jekyll Island.  After receiving the award, I had an extensive video interview to discuss the progress that we have made in the State of Georgia with clean energy.  That interview will be aired during National Clean Energy Week.  I also had a live interview with One America News Network (OANN), where we discussed the Empowering Law Enforcement Act (ELEA) ) that I have introduced in response to the Biden Border Crisis we are currently experiencing. I also had an interview with Fox Business, where we discussed the infrastructure package and massive government spending currently being proposed in Washington.  A link to my interviews can be found here and here.  Last night, I had an interview with Gray TV (WTOC-TV Savannah) to discuss the unmitigated disaster unfolding in Afghanistan.  A link to my interview can be found here.  This morning starts off with a visit to the offices of Meridian Clinical Research in Savannah, where I'm still involved in the COVID-19 clinical trials.  Afterward, I join in on our all-staff conference call while heading to Thunderbolt in Chatham County, where I visit River Supply. This great family-owned business distributes boating, aviation, and manufacturing products across the country.  Like most businesses in the country, they are experiencing supply chain and labor challenges as a result of the pandemic.  Next, I head to Pooler, where I have the honor of speaking to the Savannah Traffic Club (STC), a great group that includes people in the transportation and logistics industries and related fields.  After bringing them up to date on issues in Washington, including the proposed infrastructure bill, I head to our Savannah District office, where I meet with representatives from the Georgia Tourism Development Industry to discuss the challenges facing one of our district's economic drivers.  After suffering through the pandemic, tourism in our district is again busting loose with a record number of visitors coming to our area.  My next meeting is with representatives from the home healthcare industry, including my long-time friend, Lynnette Bragg, with B&B Care Services in Effingham County.  After recording a video for the Turner Job Corps Center Commencement in Brunswick, I meet with my good friends, Ellen Reynolds and Aubrey Singleton, with the Georgia Child Care Association.  Next, we have a tele-town hall call where I hear from constituents throughout the district with their questions and comments.  Later in the evening, I have a live interview on Newsmax to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine.  A link to my interview can be found here.  

Wednesday, August 18, 2021: I'm in our Savannah District office again this morning, and my first meeting is a virtual call with Aledade Physicians, a group that works with primary care practices across the country to advance payment and delivery system reform through value-based primary care in partnership with Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).  Afterward, I head to Chatham Parkway in Savannah, where I have a great meeting with the new general manager and station manager of WTGS-Fox 28.  Once back in our Savannah district office, I spend the afternoon on separate conference calls with eight hospitals throughout the district to hear their experiences and needs with the COVID-19 virus.  We are truly blessed in our District and State to have such excellent healthcare facilities and personnel.  Afterward, I have a virtual interview with Gray TV (WTOC-TV Savannah) to discuss the COVID-19 booster shot and share my experiences in the clinical trials, including the booster shot that I received almost a month ago.  A link to my interview can be found here.

Thursday, August 19, 2021: I'm in Richmond Hill in Bryan County this morning as I meet with Coastal Electric Cooperative and Darien Communications representatives to learn more about their new broadband partnership that will provide underserved Georgians in Liberty, Bryan, and McIntosh counties with high-speed internet.  Next, I head to our Savannah District office. During the drive, I join in on a GOP member conference call with our special guest, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to discuss the worsening disaster in Afghanistan.  Afterward, I have a taped radio interview with my good friend Bill Edwards with NewsTalk 1290 in Savannah as we discuss the COVID-19 vaccine, followed by a call with Coastal Health District Department of Public Health (DPH) Director, Dr. Lawton Davis, to discuss district COVID-19 statistics.  Afterward, I head to Skidaway Island in Chatham County, where I have the honor of speaking to Ladies on the Right, a dynamic woman's group whose mission is to preserve conservative values in our country. Finally, after a great exchange that was hopefully as inspiring to this great group as it was to me, I head to Ludowici in Long County, where I meet with my good friends Sherriff Craig Nobles and County Commission Chairman Robert Parker to discuss the challenges facing this growing residential area.  Next, I head to Alma in Bacon County, where I film this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing and afterward meet with community leaders, including Sherriff Andy Batten and First National Bank President Zack Johnson. 

Friday, August 20, 2021:  I wake up in Valdosta in Lowndes County this morning, and my first visit is at the Valdosta VA Clinic, where I meet David Isaacks, the new Director of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, as well as the great doctors and staff of the Valdosta facility.  This facility was opened a little over a year ago and included services for primary care, mental health, specimen collection, and telehealth.  After a great visit, I head to the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) Valdosta mill, where they produce 100% virgin, high-quality linerboard.  This Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified facility is a genuinely exceptional linerboard producer and provides quality, high-paying jobs for the community.  After an excellent presentation and tour, I pay a visit to Blackwater Cattle Company in Lake Park, where I enjoy a great stay with owner Mike Coggins and my good friend, Georgia State Rep. John Corbett (R-Statenville).  Next, I head to Clinch County, where I meet with community leaders, including my good friends, Lee Container President Robert Varnedoe, Georgia State Senator Russ Goodman (R-Homerville), and Clinch County Hospital CEO Angela Ammons.  After a great visit, I head to Waycross in Ware County, and, during the drive, I join in on a member's only briefing on Afghanistan.  Once in Waycross, I visit with the newly appointed President of Coastal Pines Technical College, Lonnie Roberts, before hitting the road once again and heading to Savannah.  Once back, I join the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute (CPLI) members who are in town this week. CPLI's mission is to educate individuals in Georgia to effectively advocate the merits of free markets, limited government, and individual responsibility.  After addressing this fantastic group and participating in a question-and-answer session, I head home to Pooler after a busy week in the best district in the nation.