This Week on Buddy's Briefing

This week I started in a double-blind COVID-19 vaccine trial at Meridian in Savannah. I signed up for the trial to show my confidence in the fact that the COVID-19 vaccine will be both safe and effective.

Also this week, I joined my Republican colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to officially demand a hearing with Twitter, Facebook and Google on social media censorship. The American people deserve answers and accountability from the tech giants!

We discuss this and more in this episode of Buddy's Briefing.

Click here for this episode of Buddy's Briefing

from our nation's capitol CCLXXXVII

Monday, October 19, 2020: I’m in Guyton in Effingham County this morning where I meet with my good friend Alan Zipperer and his son Devin, owners of Diamond Concrete Products, one of the almost 11,000 small businesses in the First District that were recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Rep. Carter visits Diamond Concrete Products

The PPP, a program that didn’t exist eight months ago, has proven to be a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic for small businesses throughout our district and nation and has helped maintain the employee-employer relationship that is so important. In the First District alone, the PPP is credited with saving more than 100,000 jobs. Afterwards, I head to the Port Wentworth Visitor and Welcome Center located on I-95 at the South Carolina state line for the grand opening of the Okefenokee Swamp Exhibit. A place like no other, the Okefenokee Swamp, with it’s incredible and awe-inspiring natural beauty, is one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders and is considered the largest blackwater wetland in the U.S.

Rep. Carter at the grand opening of the Okefenokee Swamp Exhibit

Used by over 700,000 people annually for boating, birding, fishing and hunting, the park thrives thanks to the tireless efforts of a great group of volunteers led by Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. William Clark. Next, I head to St. James Catholic School in Savannah for two special ceremonies. First, with students and teachers assembled, I present a letter of congratulations to John Dodson, who won the Georgia middle school state championship for cross country. Next, I congratulate Spanish teacher Professor Nancy Urcuhuaranga, who, after 15 years of work, recently became a U.S. citizen. I also present her with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in her honor and the school presents her with a bouquet of roses in what is one of the most touching ceremonies I have experienced in quite a while.

Rep. Carter presents Professor Nancy Urcuhuaranga with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol

Afterwards, I head to The Baxly, a mixed-use development in Savannah near River Street, that houses the historic downtown area’s largest solar array roof farm. The solar farm covers nearly a full block of roof space and heats, cools, and lights common areas and amenities in the development. With 575 panels, the solar farm produces enough electricity to power about 22 average homes and is a great example of how a developer and municipality can successfully work together. After a great visit, I head to Sea Island in Glynn County where I have the honor of addressing the Brick Industry Association (BIA) during their annual convention. BIA is the national trade association representing distributors and manufacturers of clay brick.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call this morning, I head to Hinesville in Liberty County where I volunteer at the First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church food distribution. Rev. Dr. Sinclair L. Thorne, pastor of the church, along with a great group of church members and volunteers have organized an efficient and much needed service that routinely provides those in need with food.

Rep. Carter volunteers at the First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church food distribution

Next, I head to our Savannah office before heading to the Meridian vaccine clinical trial offices in Savannah where I have my first visit as a patient in the trial. As a health care professional and member of Congress, I am volunteering to participate in the trial and be one of the first to receive the vaccine. During my over 30 years of practicing pharmacy, I have witnessed first-hand the process by which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug and have full confidence that we will have a vaccine soon and that it will be safe and effective. A link to a video I recorded after my initial visit can be found here.

Rep. Carter participates in a COVID-19 vaccine trial

Next, I have a Doctor’s Caucus virtual conference where we hear from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, who updates us on Operation Warp Speed (OWS). Once back at our Savannah office, I have an on-camera interview with Fox 28 TV in Savannah to discuss a joint letter that Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) and I have sent to the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant asking for a weekly update on the removal of the Golden Ray in the Brunswick Harbor. The project was originally slated for completion before this year’s hurricane season but has suffered setbacks, some of which have been due to engineering problems. A copy of the letter can be found here. Later, I head back to the Meridian clinical trial offices where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading to downtown Savannah.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020: The First District encompasses a large geographical area and I’m reminded of that today as I head on a trip that takes me from one end of the district to the other end and back. I start, of course, from my home in Pooler in Chatham County and my first stop is City Hall in Jesup in Wayne County where I meet with my good friend, Mayor David Earl Keith, and present him with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the City of Jesup. For the next week, the City will be celebrating this historic event with different events and ceremonies.

Rep. Carter visits Clinch Memorial Hospital

Afterwards, I continue south to Homerville in Clinch County where I visit Clinch Memorial Hospital and meet with board members and hospital staff including the Director of Nursing Services and Attending Physician. Next, I head even further south and actually travel through Northern Florida in order to get to St. George in Charlton County where I meet with residents and landowners who lost timber in the West Mims fire a few years ago and received federal assistance to replant. Our office was able to assist these fine people in what was a very difficult process but ultimately turned out well. After a great visit, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I meet with a group of constituents before heading back to Pooler in what has been an exhausting day.

Thursday, October 22, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call, I join in on a virtual conference call with the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse Medical School in Atlanta where I am honored to give the opening remarks for a leadership institute roundtable. The focus of this particular roundtable is the need to address climate change and its impact on vulnerable populations. Along with my Congressional colleague, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), who serves as Chair of the Select Committee on Climate Change that I also serve on, we are joined by a number of expert thought leaders and community champions from Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. After a great discussion, I join the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) annual State of the Port address that is being held virtually this year. The Georgia Ports remain the economic engine of the Southeastern U.S. and the news of more growth and record setting numbers this year is very encouraging. Afterwards, I head to the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport where I film a quick video regarding the exciting announcement earlier today that, beginning in the first quarter of 2021, Southwest Airlines will begin service at the airport. A link to my video can be found here.