Representative Buddy Carter

Firsts of the First: Showing our first responders some love

What an amazing day in Georgia’s First District!

This past Monday was Valentine’s Day and, in an effort to show our first responders how much we appreciate them, our office has been gathering Valentine’s Day cards from members of our community.

When I tell you that I am proud to represent Georgia’s First Congressional District, I truly mean that, and it is events like this that reinforce that pride and remind me what an honor it is to call our area home.

The resounding participation that we had was amazing. I traveled to fifteen counties of our district and hand delivered over 1,000 cards, written by children and adults alike, to show how much we appreciate our first responders. We visited fire stations, 911 centers, hospitals, police stations, and even Fort Stewart.

Our district’s overwhelming support of our first responders is both inspiring and encouraging. It could not come at a more important time.

As we see crime surging in cities across our country amid calls to “defund the police,” it’s clear that the First District “backs the blue!” I cannot thank each of you that took time to participate enough for joining in our effort to honor those who run in to danger as others run away.

What I found most encouraging was the great participation we had from students. Schools across the First District responded to our call for help, showcasing how our district has instilled in our children the importance of first responders and what they do to keep us protected and safe.

While we appreciate everyone who took the time to support this project, I want to highlight those schools who participated this year. They include:

South Effingham Elementary School (Effingham County)
Sterling Elementary School (Glynn County)
CB Greer Elementary School (Glynn County)
Golden Isles Elementary School (Glynn County)
FACES- Glynn County Schools Pre-K (Glynn County)

We plan to conduct First of the First next year so please contact our office if you or your school, church, or community group would like to pitch in next year.

Buddy's Briefings

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefings, we are coming to you from the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education in beautiful, downtown Savannah.

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Monday, February 14, 2022: Not only is today Valentine’s Day, it is also one of the greatest days I have ever spent in the First District. Our inaugural Firsts of the First campaign is a resounding success as we have received over a thousand Valentine’s cards that we are giving to our first responders throughout the District. While the cards are from all throughout the District and from all age spectrums, many are from elementary school children. I am especially grateful for these cards as our youth need to understand at an early age the importance of respecting and appreciating our first responders. I begin my District-wide tour bright and early in Pooler in Chatham County at Fire Rescue Headquarters on Rogers Street. From there I head to Meldrim in Effingham County where I visit the Effingham Fire Rescue Station on Fifth Street. Next, I head to the Richmond Hill Fire Department on Ford Ave in Bryan County before heading to the Liberty County Sherriff’s Department in Hinesville where we have a great visit with Sherriff Will Bowman and staff. My next stop is Winn Army Community Hospital on Fort Stewart where I deliver cards to the staff before heading to the Long County Sherriff’s Office in Ludowici where Sherriff Craig Nobles and staff do such a great job. Next on my list is Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup, one of the great rural hospitals in our district. After a great visit, I head to the Bacon County Hospital in Alma where I deliver cards to the staff and afterwards, head to the Waycross Police Department in Ware County and meet with Chief Tommy Cox and his staff. Next, I head to the Blackshear Fire Department in Pierce County before heading to the Nahunta Police Department in Brantley County. From there, I head to Folkston City Hall in Charlton County where I meet with the Police Chief and EMS Director before heading to the Woodbine Fire Department in Camden County, where they are just returning from a call in the area. My next visit is at the Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick in Glynn County where I meet with new CEO Scott Raynes and staff before heading to our final stop in Darien in McIntosh County at the Wiregrass Emergency 911 Center. What a great day! With the ‘defund the police’ rhetoric and soft-on-crime policies being spread by the Democrat Party these days, I am proud to ‘back the blue’ and to show the Firsts of the First that we support them and appreciate them.

Buddy with the Long County Sheriff's Department

Tuesday, February 15, 2022: Admittedly, after such a long day yesterday, I sleep in an extra hour this morning but once back at it, I head to our Savannah district office where I join in on our all staff conference call before having an introductory virtual call with National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Assistant Secretary Alan Davison before he testifies in front of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee tomorrow. Next, I have a virtual interview with Fox News to discuss Coca-Cola and other American companies sponsorship of the Beijing Olympics and afterwards record a welcome video for the American Optometric Association annual fly-in to Washington. Next, I join in on an E&C Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee hearing on restoring brownfield sites to economic engines before recording a Girl Scout cookie challenge video. I have chosen to challenge my congressional colleagues and good friends, Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), Rep. Garrett Graves (R-LA) and Rep. Jerry Carl (R-LA (Lower Alabama)) to see who can get a girl scout cookie placed on their forehead into their mouth without dropping it in less than a minute. Good luck, gentleman! After a virtual call with DaVita Dialysis to discuss staffing issues that have been exasperated during the pandemic, I have a virtual call with the National Association of Credit Services Organizations to discuss pending legislation. Next, I join in on a virtual Select Committee on Climate Change hearing on grid resilience and reliability before waving onto an E&C Oversight and Investigations (O&I) bipartisan member briefing on the status of COVID-19 in the U.S. One of the panelists is Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. The majority party Democrats decided not to open this briefing to the public and we were only allowed one question. My question was to Dr. Fauci and, needless to say, the exchange was not very pleasant. After a meeting with constituents to discuss concerns with the Merchant Marine Academy, I head to Southside Savannah where I attend the Navy League of Savannah monthly meeting and present O.C. Fowler a proclamation that I entered into the Congressional Record congratulating him on being selected as the Chatham County Veteran of the Year.

Buddy with the Navy League of Savannah

Wednesday, February 16, 2022: I’m in downtown Savannah at the Savannah-Chatham County Public Board of Education this morning as I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office where I record an appreciation video for the Turner Job Corps in Brunswick thanking them for the fine work that they perform. Next, I record remarks for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hearing to be held tomorrow where they will be considering investigating the predatory practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). After a phone interview with the Daily Mail to discuss mask mandates, I join in on a Budget committee hearing on the debt limit before joining in on an E&C C&T Subcommittee hearing on oversight of the NTIA. Next, I head to the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club in Savannah where I have a great visit and see firsthand the wonderful work they are doing in changing young people's lives. Afterwards, I head to Skidaway Island in Chatham County where I attend the Skidaway Island Republican Club’s (SIRC) Ronald Reagan Dinner with guest speaker Mollie Hemingway.

Buddy with the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club

Thursday, February 17, 2022: I’m up early this morning as I join Fox and Friends for a live virtual interview at 4:30 a.m. to discuss mask mandates, TikTock and the Olympics. Later in the morning, I join my good friends on the world famous Butch and Bob Show in Jesup as we discuss news of the day. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my return trip to Washington. Once in my office, I record a video of me reading the book “My Daddy’s Heart is Purple” for the Nahunta Primary School in Brantley County.

Black History month celebration

Many associate him with his famed role as a baseball player with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but Jackie Robinson hails from the little town of Cairo, Georgia.

Mr. Robinson and I actually have something in common; and no, I do not share his athleticism. Both of our fathers were sharecroppers. It is from these humble roots that he was able to rise to stardom, in the face of racist opposition, truly embodying the American Dream.

After breaking the color line by starting as the Dodger’s first baseman, Robinson went on to play in the MLB for ten years, winning Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the 1955 World Series Championship.

To this day, MLB players wear his number, 42, on April 15^th in celebration of “Jackie Robinson Day.”

For his skills as an athlete and his strength of character, President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Visit the Georgia Historical Society’s website to learn more about Jackie Robinson and read the plaque dedicated marking his birthplace in Cairo, GA.