Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the Savannah Fire Department for its unwavering service towards our community. Throughout my time in government at the local, state, and federal levels, I have always known them to be a reliable force for good in the Savannah area. For example, in early March the Savannah Fire Department saved the life of a young girl at a swim meet. An 11-year old girl was swimming at the Chatham County Aquatic Center when she began to drown. Savannah Fire responded to the call and found the young girl unable to breathe and in cardiac arrest. The Firefighters quickly began CPR, and they continued until she regained breathing and a pulse. Thanks to the quick actions of Savannah Fire, she is still with us today. I would like to personally thank Advanced Firefighter Phil Haag, Captain Brian Smith, and Advanced Firefighter Mario Smith for their actions in saving this young girl. This is just one of the many ways they keep our community safe every single day.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of Marolyn Overton, the outgoing chair of ``Ladies on the Right.'' Marolyn has always been involved in her community and in politics. She was once the President of the Skidaway Island Republican Club, and she founded ``Ladies on the Right'' in 2020. To quote their website, ``when most folks were thinking of retiring, Marolyn started the Tea Party movement in Savannah.'' Since 2020, Ladies on the Right has been a home for conservative values in Savannah, Georgia hosting monthly meetings and events about the Constitution, the dangers of socialism, and many other topics. Ladies on the Right does not just stop at meetings, either. The group works to develop solutions to issues facing our country while holding politicians accountable. Ms. Overton has created an impressive organization, and I commend her lifelong commitment to fighting for what is right.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the upcoming Military Marriage Day, which is celebrated on August 14 of each year. My district is particularly blessed to have such a large veteran and Active-Duty servicemember population, and Military Marriage Day provides an opportunity to honor the sacred bonds these servicemembers share with their spouses. Strong military marriages are vitally important to the strength and well-being of our Armed Forces. When one spouse decides to serve their country, both spouses take on that responsibility. They can't do it alone, and we are so appreciative of all the sacrifices made by our servicemembers and their families to defend our freedoms. I congratulate our district's new military marriages on their recent unions and vows, and I am continually inspired by the persistence, strength, commitment, and love of the many longstanding military marriages in our district.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th birthday of Marion Virginia DeLoach, a lifelong educator from Chatham County and mother of Eddie DeLoach, the former mayor of Savannah, Georgia. Throughout her career in education, Marion served as a substitute teacher, middle school teacher, Sunday school teacher, curriculum specialist, principal, and president of her local parent-teacher association. There is no doubt that over her decades of service to her community, Virginia has impacted thousands of students' lives, helping instill in them values of hard work, courage, and dedication. In her free time, Virginia enjoyed softball, reading, and camping. As she celebrates nine decades of life this September, I wish her good health and bountiful enjoyment and pleasure from these hobbies over the next decade of life. Celebrating Military Marriage Day

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Howard Allan Poe. Howard was born on January 6, 1961, in Sanford, North Carolina, to Allan Augustus Poe and Evelyn Grace H. Poe. Mr. Poe was a resident of Brunswick for 22 years, where he was a member of Cowboy Church, as well as the owner of American Dock Builders and Coastal Marine Center. He was the life of the party. He was loved by all who were blessed enough to know him. Fondly known as Captain HAP, Howard competed in the Southern Kingfish Association trail and SKA Pro Tour for over 25 years. He was proud to be the 1996 SKA National Angler of the Year. However, Mr. Poe's proudest accomplishment was his children, who he watched grow and succeed, both personally and professionally. Howard's legacy will live on in the positive impact he had on his community, and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family. Celebrating Marion Virginia DeLoach

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize July as National Blueberry Month. Georgia might be known as the Peach State, but our top fruit is actually blueberries, making it a critical part of our State's economy. From May to July, this fruit is harvested, and a 2019 study found Georgia blueberries generate an annual economic impact of over $520 million. Being a farmer is difficult. Most of their success depends on things outside of their control, such as supply chain issues, worker shortages, and, most notably, weather issues. In March 2021, Georgia's blueberry farmers lost more than $140 million worth of crops to freezes, which, contrary to popular belief, we do get from time to time down in south Georgia. Unfortunately, freezes are not covered losses and do not qualify for Federal assistance funds. That is why, in this year's farm bill, I am fighting for freezes to qualify for the same protections as other natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes. This small legislative fix will give security to growers of Georgia's number one export. Let's make this National Blueberry Month the last one without this commonsense protection for blueberry farmers. Remembering Howard Allan Poe

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of Savannah Christian's own, Jamari McIvory. Jamari is a rising senior at Savannah Christian, playing three sports: track, football, and basketball. In May, he won the 2023 Georgia Highschool Associations Class 3A State Title in both the 200 and 400-meter races, running a lightning- fast 21.65 and 48.1 seconds, respectively. After winning these championships, Jamari was named the Coastal Empire Boy's Track and Field Athlete of the Year by the Savannah Morning News. Just last week, he won his second AAU Nationals 400-meter run in Las Vegas, besting the competition by over two seconds. At the end of the month, Jamari will travel to the 2023 AAU Track and Field Junior Olympics at Drake University in Indiana. Bring the title home to the Coastal Empire.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Trey and Erin Thompson, the Muscular Dystrophy Association's first Savannah Toast to Life Gala honorees. The MDA is honoring Trey and Erin due to their tireless efforts to increase muscular dystrophy awareness within the Savannah community. Trey's father, Robbie Thompson, passed away on March 18, 2012, after a brave fight with ALS. Robbie was a strong, kind man who lived his life to the fullest no matter what trials he faced in his life. His legacy lives on through Trey and Erin Thompson's advocacy for the neuromuscular disease community in Savannah. Through events like the Toast to Life Gala, the MDA funds research, treatments, and technology that increase quality of life for those with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases, as well as their families. Trey and Erin will be honored at the Third Annual MDA Savannah Toast to Life Gala on August 31, 2023. I thank them for their efforts in the fight against muscular dystrophy.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dewey Rewis, Jr., a POW/MIA who, seventy years after he was reported missing, was finally identified. In 1950, the Waycross Georgia native joined the Battery D, 15th Anti- Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division stationed in Korea. He was reported missing in action on December 2, 1950, after his unit came under attack while advancing along the eastern banks of Chosin Reservoir. In 1953, four POWs returned home from Korea and reported that Cpl. Lewis had been a prisoner of war and had passed away in March 1951. During Operation Glory, North Korea returned the remains of some U.S. soldiers that had died in the area north of Chosin Reservoir known as ``Death Valley''. Unfortunately, Dewey was not among those returned. He was determined to be unrecoverable on January 16, 1956. In October of 2022, researchers were able to identify Cpl. Rewis' remains using mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome analysis. Dewey's name is recorded on the American Battle Monuments Commission's Courts of Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with others who are still missing from the Korean War. He will have a rosette placed next to his name to indicate that he has been accounted for. Cpl. Rewis paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and today we honor him.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate local Savannah ice cream parlor, Leopold's Ice Cream, for being named in Yelp's Top 100 ice cream shops for 2023. While it is the many positive Yelp reviews that landed Leopold's on this list, the parlor's superb reputation has been built on over a century of hard work and success. Leopold's was founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece on the corner of Gwinnett and Habersham Streets in Savannah. Streetcar riders would reportedly jump off the streetcar to get their super premium ice cream, which is handcrafted and uses original, secret recipes and techniques handed down in the Leopold family. Over the years, Leopold's Ice Cream has received rave endorsements by many famous historical figures and celebrities alike. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Stratton Leopold and Leopold's Ice Cream on their tremendous achievement and thank them for being a joy and an inspiration to the great city of Savannah, Georgia, and the First Congressional District of Georgia.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mr. Ralph Dixon, a loving husband, a humble veteran, and a proud grandparent. Ralph was born in Blackshear, Georgia, in the First Congressional District in 1929 and graduated from Blackshear High School with the class of 1949. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, spending 21 years in uniformed service. His official service may have ended in uniform, but his service to the Nation did not stop there. After returning, he began a new 20-year career as a civil servant at Fort Stewart. On top of his work serving our country, Ralph was very active in the First Baptist Church in Hinesville, becoming a deacon and singing in the choir for over 50 years. He is preceded by his loving wife of 66 years, Jacqueline Waters Dixon. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family, including 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Congratulating Leopold's Ice Cream

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the local St. Simons barbecue restaurant, Southern Soul Barbecue, for being named the Best Barbecue Restaurant in Georgia. This year, Yelp searched around the entire country to find the best barbecue restaurants in the Nation, and Southern Soul was an easy selection. After serving charities in 2007, Griffin Bufkin and Harrison Sapp launched their barbecue business in a subleased kitchen before moving into an antique converted gas station. They caught their big break in 2010 when Southern Soul was featured on Food Network's ``Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.'' The St. Simon's community continued to support their favorite barbecue business even after a horrible fire erupted in the establishment in 2010. Southern Soul didn't let this tragic fire stop them, and in the year 2023, they are still winning awards and serving the best barbecue in Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Southern Soul on their sustained success, and I thank them for all they do for our community. Celebrating the Life of Mr. Ralph Dixon

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a Savannah, Georgia, native, a Pooler Packer alum, a Savannah Christian School graduate, a UGA Bulldog, a current First District constituent, and an extraordinary golfer on his first major championship win at the 151st British Open Golf Championship in England, Brian Harman. This win is an incredible honor for the entire First District and was a long time coming for Brian, decades in the making. Mr. Speaker, you see my sons in this picture. They played youth basketball with Brian, and, in fact, my talented wife, Amy, was the coach of that team. We are so very proud of Brian. I remember seeing firsthand the talent that Brian possessed, and it wasn't any surprise when Brian went on to play competitively for the University of Georgia's golf team or to finish runner-up at the 2017 US Open. This past week, after four rounds of golf, Brian's final score at the 2023 Open was 271, 13 strokes under par and six strokes ahead of all other golfers in the tournament. Brian's win was decisive and hard-earned, and I, on behalf of the entire Savannah community and the First District of Georgia, congratulate him immensely for his victory. Brian has made Savannah, the First District of Georgia, the State of Georgia, the Pooler Packers, the Savannah Christian School, and the Bulldog Nation proud this past weekend. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing more great work and many more championships from Brian in the future. Congratulating Southern Soul Barbecue

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate recent Camden County High School graduate Evalynn Sanford for winning a national championship in architectural drafting at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. Sanford, who is 18 years young, captured the gold medal on Saturday, June 24, 2023. She faced nearly 50 other competitors from across the U.S. in the architectural drafting competition. In August, she will graduate with an associate's degree in drafting technology from Coastal Pines Technical College. Sanford has an impressive resume, already working as an intern at Charles W. Day Design, which is an architectural firm in Brunswick. In addition to her award, Sanford earned $2,000 in scholarships, which she will put toward her next educational endeavor, a degree in architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Ms. Sanford on her championship and wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chazito's Latin Cuisine, a restaurant in Pooler, Georgia, for being featured on Guy Fieri's hit show ``Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.'' The owner of the restaurant, Chaz Ortiz, came to Savannah over 10 years ago and has been bringing Puerto Rican culture and flavor to our district ever since. Chaz's restaurant, which takes traditional family recipes and puts a twist on them, has been a crowd favorite at local venues like the Doggie Carnival Festival in Forsyth Park for years. In 2016, the restaurant grew from a fleet of two food trucks to a fully functioning brick-and-mortar store, demonstrating the success of small businesses in Savannah and the growth hard work and patience brings. Chazito's honor marks the second time a restaurant from coastal Georgia has been featured on Guy Fieri's show. The first was on Tybee Island. Madam Speaker, I am extremely proud of Chaz, his entire staff, and the business he and his family have grown.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Bobby ``Blue'' Smith. On Thursday, June 22, 2023, Ware County lost not only a beloved member of their community but also a brave hero. Bobby ``Blue'' Smith was born on July 12, 1998, in Waycross, Georgia, to Bobby Green Smith and Crystal Blue Freeman. After he graduated from Pierce County High School in 2017, he began working for the Ware County Fire Department as well as Hodges Plumbing and Walker's Lawn Care. Blue was a light in his community. He was a follower of Christ who took every opportunity to love and uplift his family and friends as well as strangers. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending quality time with his family, and he never missed an opportunity to ride buggies at Fat Daddy's ATV Park. Blue bravely served his community for years, and he will be deeply missed by everyone who was blessed enough to know and love him. He is survived by his parents and siblings along with many other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tyrone ``Hollywood'' Brown, who was recently inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame. Tyrone Brown was born in Savannah, Georgia, where he went to Alfred E. Beach High School. After years of hard work at Savannah State University, Tyrone joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1985. He was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters for over 10 years. During his time with the Globetrotters, Tyrone put an emphasis on children's education and development. He remained passionate about inspiring children to set goals and work hard, leading him to create the Ambassadors of Responsibility Foundation to enable former teammates to better serve elementary and middle school students across the country. Tyrone also wrote a book ``A Piece of Paper'' that tells his own story of how he worked to become a Harlem Globetrotter. Tyrone was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past June alongside many other basketball legends.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate tennis star Chris Eubanks on his impressive Wimbledon run. Chris Eubanks is an Atlanta native who played tennis at Georgia Tech. During his time at Tech, Eubanks was named the ACC Player of the Year twice and was a two-time all-American. At Wimbledon, Eubanks beat the number one British player and 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist in a second round in front of a lively crowd. He advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament after defeating the world number five player in a more than 3-hour battle. Eubanks is now the 13th man in the Open Era to reach the final eight in his debut at Wimbledon and the first American man to do so since 1984. His performance at Wimbledon propelled him to a world number 43 ranking and has now guaranteed himself entry into every tournament and a seeding at the U.S. Open. I congratulate Mr. Eubanks on his valiant Wimbledon run and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. He has made Georgia proud and made his country proud.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a fellow Georgian, Charles T. Carmical, Sr. An avid basketball player, Charles was the Georgia Player of the Year in high school before being recruited by South Georgia College to play basketball with them. He continued his love of the sport through adulthood, playing for the Golden Boys and winning the Georgia State title 12 times. As the owner and operator of Dalton Auction Furniture Company, Charles loved working with people and connecting them to treasures. He was a Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, where he mentored hundreds of young minds and supported 31 Scouts in reaching Eagle Scout status. In his personal life, Charles was also an active teacher in his church, where he served as a ruling elder, deacon, and member for over five decades. His friends and family described him as a gentle giant with endless patience and a true family man, always there for those who needed him most. He will be missed dearly.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the city of Savannah, Georgia, being named the most beautiful place in Georgia and the fourth most beautiful place in the country by Travellers Worldwide. Savannah is home to a lively tourism industry due to its historical architecture, captivating greenery, entertainment, and southern hospitality. Savannah is also considered the largest national historic landmark district in the United States, thanks to its abundance of artifacts from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. The coastline of Savannah is home to miles of great fishing spots, beautiful beaches, and warm waters. Whether you are a history buff looking for a place to vacation or doing business, Savannah has something to offer for everyone. I am proud to represent such a beautiful area that aids Georgia's economy tremendously and brings many Americans to the State I call home. Congratulating Riyon Rankin

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Brunswick High alumnus Riyon Rankin for winning the boy's high jump title at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Mr. Rankin has been making a name for himself in the track and field world for the past 2 years, being the first student to claim a track and field State and national championship in Brunswick High School's history. Recently, he cleared a high jump of over 7 feet, breaking the 6A State record. It was not long after his record-breaking jump that he received the invitation to compete from Nike. Mr. Rankin went on to win his event at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, sharing with interviewers that he only plans to improve from there. He is committed to the University of Georgia--Go Dawgs--where he will begin attending in the fall. I wish Mr. Rankin the best of luck in his track and field career at UGA and thank him for representing the city of Brunswick and the First District with such determination and persistence.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dana Wright. Mrs. Wright was an educator and impacted many children's lives in Georgia's First District. She concluded her distinguished 33 years of teaching while serving as principal of Ebenezer Elementary School. She was born and raised in Statesboro, going on to be a Georgia Southern alumni and a charter member of Alpha Omicron Pi. She was also a valued member of the Delta Kappa Gamma professional educators society. When she wasn't teaching, she was cheering on the Eagles at football or basketball games or spending time with the Statesboro crew, her lifelong friends, Leah, Pam, and Amy. Mrs. Wright was dedicated to improving her community through her passion for education, and her impact will be felt for many years to come. My sincere condolences go out to the Wright family during this time of mourning. Savannah, Georgia: Named One of the Most Beautiful Places in America

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Pierce County High School Lady Bears golf team for winning the State Class AA championship on May 22, 2023. This remarkable achievement makes the Lady Bears back-to-back State champions after winning a Class AAA championship last year. This year's championship was held on the team's home course, the Okefenokee Country Club Golf Course. Sophomore Mackenzie Connell was the first Lady Bear to come in with the remarkable score of 1 over 73, followed by senior Maggie Sapp, junior Lily Spivey, and sophomore Addyson Walker. In Class AA, the two lowest scores count for the team, which gave the Lady Bears an impressive 30-stroke lead over the second-place team. Mackenzie Connell finished in first place for the Class AA tournament, with all four members finishing in the top 10. Again, I congratulate the Pierce County Lady Bears golf team on their championship, and I wish them well in their future endeavors on and off the golf course. Honoring Dana Wright

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the longest standing superintendent of Cumberland Island National Seashore, Gary Ingram, and to congratulate him on his new job offer at the Rocky Mountain National Park. Mr. Ingram has been with the National Park Service for over 20 years. Before he joined us in Cumberland, he served in many different positions at Yosemite and later as superintendent of Georgia's own Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. Mr. Ingram began leading the Cumberland team in 2014, and because of his efforts and accomplishments, also became the superintendent of Fort Frederica National Monument. During his 9-year tenure, his elevating leadership style and his enthusiasm for the outdoors ensured that each park was properly taken care of. Recently, Mr. Ingram accepted a superintendent position at Rocky Mountain National Park. I thank him for everything he has done for the beautiful parks of Georgia's First District and wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors in the Rockies.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert ``Bobby'' Smith, a close friend of mine, who was tragically killed in an airplane crash. I knew Bobby well. In fact, he was my pilot for many years. He also flew for my predecessor, Congressman Jack Kingston. Bobby's greatest passion was always aviation, and he also served as the chief flight instructor for MidCoast Aviation where he provided flight education for the VA and later served as vice chairman of the Reidsville Airport Authority board. Since 2012, Bobby volunteered as an Angel Flight pilot, arranging and piloting free flights for families in need of travel to and from healthcare services. His generosity, his kindness, and willingness to help others through his passion for flight was unparalleled. I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, but I know his legacy will live on for generations to come. Thank you, Bobby.