Monday, July 1, 2024: What a busy weekend! On Saturday morning, I was in Screven in Wayne County for the grand opening of the new Dollar General. Along with Screven Mayor Jason Weaver and other local dignitaries, we welcomed this much needed business to the area. With a nice selection of food items, Screven will no longer be considered a food dessert and the citizens in this area will not have to travel to neighboring cities to buy groceries.
Afterwards, I enjoyed meeting with local dignitaries including Mayor Weaver, Jesup Mayor Ralph Hickox, and Wayne County Commissioner Jamie Hickox as they brought me up to date on news from the area. Next, I headed to Mossy Pond in Patterson where they were hosting Freedom Fest '24 complete with vendors, live entertainment and great food.
Later in the evening, I headed to Darien in McIntosh County for the annual Red, White and Blue on the Bluff as they celebrated Independence Day early with food trucks, music, and great fireworks show. The recently renovated bluff area on the waterfront in Darien has been a great addition to the area and made for a great venue for this patriotic celebration.
On Sunday, I traveled to the Shellman Bluff Baptist Church in McIntosh County where my good friend, Mark Mirza with Common Thread Ministries, was the guest pastor. For many years now, Mark has been visiting me in our Washington office and praying with me there. He also has been hosting a weekly prayer session for me via phone with my local pastors. I have been blessed to have Mark in my life.
Later in the afternoon, I traveled to Waycross in Ware County where I was honored to join in the celebration of Sgt. Kennedy Sanders birthday and to honor her service to our country by a great group of family, friends, and supporters. In January of this year, Sgt. Sanders was one of three Georgia soldiers killed in a drone strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. Sadly, today would have been her 25th birthday.
Once back home last night, I had a meeting with two constituents to discuss an idea of creating a service academy for civil servants. I’m in Blackshear in Pierce County this morning as I visit with my good friends Chad Nimmer and Hugh Thompson at Pierce Timber as they share with me the challenges facing the timber industry today. Georgia is the #1 forestry state in the nation with over 22 million acres of commercially available, private timberland, tops every other state in the nation in terms of pure volume of timber harvested, and is the #1 exporter of Forest products in the nation with a trade value of $3.9 billion. While the economic and environmental impact of this sector is enormous, with high energy costs and more and more government regulations, the challenges have increased as well.
After a great visit, I have a meeting with Pierce County leaders, including Black shear Police Chief Chris Wright and Pierce County Manager Raphel Maddox. Similar to other growing areas, Blackshear and Pierce County are facing infrastructure challenges. However, thanks to good local leadership, they are doing a great job of planning for the future.
Next, I head to the Jacksonville airport and during the drive, I have a great phone conversation with one of our many great veterans in the district, Bruce McCartney from Liberty County, who has been the driving force behind the naming of the Hinesville VA Center after four Liberty County natives who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. Once at the Jacksonville airport, I visit with TSA personnel as they give me a tour of the screening process and explain the intricacies of their important work. Like any other frequent traveler, I sometimes get frustrated by the inconvenience of the screening process, but after a better understanding of the importance of their work I am truly appreciative of these fine government workers. Afterwards, I meet with Jacksonville Airport Authority (JAA) staff to learn of the great work they are doing to accommodate the Northeastern area of Florida and Southeastern Georgia.
Carter in Darien for Red, White and Blue on the Bluff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024: I’m in Savannah this morning as I meet with Anna Chafin and Justin Farquhar at the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) headquarters in downtown Savannah. Anna serves as President and CEO of Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE) while Justin is VP of workforce. RISE is a regional workforce organization created to manage the challenges in Chatham and the surrounding counties as the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) and its suppliers locate to this area. After a great visit where Anna and Justin explain in detail their objectives and goals, I head to my hometown of Port Wentworth and, during the drive, I join in on our all-staff conference call.
Once in Port Wentworth, I have a great visit with the fine folks at Freightliner of Savannah, a family-owned business that specializes in truck and trailer supplies. Originally from the Augusta area, Freightliner of Savannah was founded by John Williams in 1987 and is now run by Jason Williams and his brother.
Afterwards, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I have a great visit with my good friend Sean Register who was recently appointed to the position of interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC). I’m sure Sean will do a great job in this position.
Next, I head to Midway in Liberty County where I meet with my good friends Mark Bolton and Chris Fettes at Coastal Electric Cooperative to hear about their success in bringing fiber to their customers. As a member of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommitee, I am very interested in the efforts of local agencies in delivering fiber to their coverage areas. After a very informative meeting, I head to Hinesville in Liberty County where I meet with new Liberty Economic Development Authority (EDA) CEO Brynn Grant, State Representative Al Williams (D-Midway) and others as they share with me the good work being done in Liberty County. Brynn is a Hinesville native and I’m sure will do an outstanding job in her new position.
Carter visits Freightliner Savannah
Thursday, July 4, 2024: Yesterday, I had a phone interview with Bloomberg to discuss drug pricing and my work to rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s). This morning I’m in St. Mary’s in Camden County where I participate in one of my favorite activities- the annual St. Mary’s Independence Day Festival and parade sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. This year’s parade was one of the best yet with a great group of participants and lots of spectators.
Afterwards, I meet with local officials including Camden County Commission Chairman Ben Casey, Commissioner Martin Turner and County Administrator Shawn Boatright as they bring me up to date on happenings in the County. Next, I head to St. Simons Island for their annual golf cart parade where everyone goes all out in decorating their carts in some of the most patriotic ways imaginable.
Carter at St. Mary's Independence Day Festival
Friday, July 5, 2024: I’m up early this morning and live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as I speak to guest host Cheryl Casone about replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming Presidential election, the price of groceries and my work with Paris Hilton on the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA).
