Monday, October 29, 2018:  Yesterday, I was honored to be the guest speaker at the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) quarterly meeting held on St. Simons Island.  MOAA is a group that was chartered in 1964 and consists of active and retired officers from the Golden Isles area.  After bringing them up to date on issues in Washington, I enjoyed a question and answer session with this great group.   Afterwards, I headed to the St. Simons Island Methodist Church where I participated in the Eagle Scout Ceremony for Glynn County resident Walker Butin by presenting him with an American flag flown over the Capitol.  This morning I participate in a National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) presentation in Pooler before heading to the Savannah Downtown Rotary Club weekly meeting where the guest speaker is Hunter Army Airfield commander Lt. Col. Ken Dwyer.  Lt. Col. Dwyer, a Green Beret who has received numerous awards during his outstanding career, shares his inspirational personal story with the group that shows his courage and perseverance are above reproach.  Afterwards, I head to Fort Stewart Army Base where I visit with the 1-118 Field Artillery of the Georgia Army National Guard as they prepare for deployment to Afghanistan in the upcoming weeks.  After a short briefing of the overall training plan from leadership, I head to the field where they are conducting Gunnery Skills testing before touring the Rapid Fielding warehouse as Soldiers are issued the latest equipment prior to deployment.   Next, I tour the medical and administrative readiness update unit where all medical and administrative issues are corrected or updated prior to the soldier’s deployment.  These great men and women are some of our nations very finest and their dedication and commitment are inspiring.    

 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018:  I’m in downtown Savannah bright and early this morning as I have a radio interview with Wayne Waters on WRUU, a noncommercial community radio station.  After about 45 minutes discussing political issues, I head back to Pooler and later head to Pembroke in Bryan County to meet with officers of the North Bryan Chamber of Commerce including Mayor Judy Cook.  Next, I head to First Presbyterian Christian Academy in Hinesville in Liberty County where I visit with Ms. Dollar’s second grade class that has recently been studying how our federal government works. I enjoyed answering the many questions that this bright group of students had for me regarding my work in Washington.  Afterwards, I head to our district office in Savannah where I meet with a constituent who runs a rehabilitation center in Pooler to discuss the Opioid epidemic and the recent legislation that we passed to address the situation.  My next meeting is with a constituent concerning Social Security Disability benefits followed by a meeting with a constituent who I have worked with in the past regarding the Opioid crisis and has suggestions on how we can have more outreach programs in the community.  My final meeting is with a student from Richmond Hill High School who is applying to a military academy and will be participating in our academy day in November.  Each year I host an academy day where applicants from across the district are interviewed by a board of volunteers that advise me in nominating students to the military academies.  After a conference call with officials at the State Department to discuss a specific immigration issue that we have been working on in our office, I head to Congregation Agudath Achim in Savannah for an interfaith vigil for the victims of the Pittsburg synagogue shooting last weekend.  I finish my day by heading to Richmond Hill in Bryan County for a meeting with constituents.

 

Wednesday, October 31, 2018:  Today begins with a tour of the Preferred Materials Plant in Savannah where I meet with company officials and learn more about the work they are doing in upgrading our infrastructure in the District.  Preferred Materials supplies asphalt, concrete, concrete products and paving services throughout the Southeast and as I tour their facilities I am impressed with the quality and magnitude of their work.  One of their current challenges, like so many businesses these days, is access to workers which we addressed in Congress earlier this year by passing the Carl D. Perkins Reauthorization Act, the largest federal bill for funding for career and technical education.   Afterwards, I head to the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah where I have the opportunity to address the Clinical Social Work Association of Savannah and bring them up to date on federal issues.  Next, I head to McIntosh County Academy in Darien where I meet with U.S. History students and share with them my story of how I became involved in public service, what a typical day serving in Congress is like and then participate in a question and answer session.  Without question, this is one of my favorite activities and I am very impressed with the questions this group of young people have.  Next, I head to St. Marys in Camden County and during the drive I have a phone interview with Kent Justice with WJXT in Jacksonville to discuss the political landscape in the District.  Once in St. Marys I meet with members of Transport Workers Union, Local 526 at the Kings Bay Base and have a great discussion with them on national and local issues. 

 

Thursday, November 1, 2018:  I begin today with two radio interviews.  My first interview is with the world famous Butch and Bob show in Jesup as I discuss state and national politics with my good friend Bob Morgan.  Next, I am the guest on the Verb Altitude Hour in Savannah with Carrie Smith as we discuss issues important to the upcoming election.  Afterwards, I record a Twitter question and answer series with staff before heading to downtown Savannah for a special press conference with the YMCA/Healthy Savannah foundation where they announce they have been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the CDC to reduce health disparities in African American and Latino communities in the area.   Next, I head to Clanton’s River Ranch in Wayne County for one of my favorite events of the year- Day for Wayne.  This annual event sponsored by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce draws elected officials and citizens from near and far as the County showcases the beauty of the area and how much it has to offer.  The beautiful weather combined with the great fellowship and many outdoor activities make this year’s event one of the best ever.

 

Friday, November 2, 2018:  It’s always good to start my day with a radio interview with my good friends Bill Edwards and Laura Anderson with WTKS in Savannah and there’s plenty to talk about this morning with Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Savannah last night and the final days before the election.  Afterwards, I meet with representatives from State Farm Insurance to discuss issues such as flood insurance before heading to the WTOC studios in Savannah where I am a guest on Mid-Morning Live and have the opportunity to discuss my work on maternal mortality in our State.   Next, I end a very busy week by meeting with constituents in Effingham, Bryan and Chatham Counties.