Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his very insightful comments. I appreciate that very much. I thank all of my colleagues for their support and for speaking in favor of America's favorite tax proposal. Yes, it has been around. It has been around for quite a while now, but its time has come. This bill, in fact, was first proposed by Representative John Linder, a member of the Georgia delegation whose chief of staff, Rob Woodall, took over the bill when he was elected to Congress, another Georgian. When Rob retired, he asked me if I would take over this legislation, and I was honored to do so because I made a commitment when I became a Member of Congress that this would be the first bill I would cosponsor as a Member of Congress, and it was. It has been ever since I have been a Member of Congress. Cosponsoring this bill was my first act as a Member of Congress, and I am eager to see this landmark bill finally get the attention and legislative action it deserves. It is fair; it is simple; it is preferred. You are in control. You decide how much you want to pay in taxes, not some unelected bureaucrat, not some Member of Congress who decides they need a loophole or a tax break for something. No, you are going to decide. You are going to decide what you are going to pay taxes on and what you are not going to pay taxes on. Again, as I started out tonight, today could be the last tax day our country ever sees. Let that sink in. Today could be the last tax day our country ever sees. All we have to do is adopt the FairTax Act, a consumption tax. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, one more myth: The FairTax Act will make new homes too expensive, and it will eliminate incentives like the mortgage interest rate deduction. I hear this all the time. Again, wrong. Under the current system, every time a new home is purchased, a home buyer is paying an increased price that results from embedded costs. See, that is what people don't understand. Taxes are embedded. They are embedded in the prices that you are paying right now. Under the FairTax Act, when you buy a new home, these embedded costs are eliminated, meaning the cost for consumers can fall relative to the price of home construction and compliance costs. Additionally, under the FairTax Act, mortgage interest rates are expected to drop as interest income falls toward the tax-free bond rate. Mortgage interest rates are expected to fall under the FairTax Act. Wow. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good), a great advocate of tax reform.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing up some great points. Mr. Speaker, I want to very quickly go over a couple of myths, if you will. I know you find it hard to believe, but there are some myths out there about the FairTax Act. First of all, the myth is that the FairTax Act rate is really 30 percent, not 23 percent. I agree. Twenty-three percent is too high. We wish it could be lower, but it is not 30 percent. Our current income tax as expressed is an inclusive tax. When directly comparing the FairTax Act to our current income tax, the FairTax Act rate is 23 percent. Under the FairTax Act, if you would pay $100--this is simple math, now--if you pay $100 for a good, $77 goes for the good, and there is an inclusive $23 tax. If you take the $23 as a percentage of the $100, Mr. Speaker, then the tax rate is 23 percent. Unfortunately, opponents of the FairTax Act--unbelievably there are some out there--typically speak about the FairTax Act in terms of an exclusive tax simply because the rate sounds higher to consumers. It is 23 percent. It is simple math: 23 percent. Not only do opponents of the FairTax Act fail to admit that the exclusive and inclusive rates have consumers paying the same amount of money, but they also compared the exclusive FairTax Act rate to the inclusive income tax rate. That is unfair, and that is misleading. That is a myth. It is 23 percent. Again, I get it. I know that is too high. I wish it would be lower, but it is not 30 percent. It is 23 percent. The only other thing I want to mention at this point is the myth that the FairTax Act--and we mentioned this earlier--would hurt the poor and give the rich a huge tax cut. Baloney. The FairTax Act is the only progressive tax reform bill currently pending before Congress. Each household, as I mentioned earlier, will receive a monthly prebate based on Federal poverty levels and household size that will allow families to purchase necessary goods such as food, shelter, and medicine essentially tax-free--zero percent. This is similar to our current individual exemption and refundable tax credit system. It is essentially the same thing, but it is far simpler. Further, the FairTax Act is not riddled with shelters and loopholes, meaning wealthy taxpayers cannot minimize what they pay in taxes regardless of how many lawyers and accountants they hire to advise them. It is simple, it is fair, and it is preferred. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins). Representative Mike Collins is a great new member of our delegation who certainly knows a thing or two about taxes, having been in business for many years himself.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to submit extraneous material into the Record.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today could be the last tax day our country ever has. Let that sink in. Today could be the last tax day our country ever has. Monday, April 15, 2024, could be just another spring day if Congress acts now and passes the only tax reform proposal to ever make it to The New York Times best seller list, the FairTax Act. H.R. 25, the FairTax Act is a simple, fair, and preferred alternative to our current tax system which puts bureaucrats before the basic needs of hardworking Americans. The bill would eliminate, as in do away with, the Federal income, the Federal payroll, the estate, and gift taxes, replacing them with a revenue neutral national 23 percent consumption tax. Mr. Speaker, nobody likes taxes, but given the choice between a payroll tax, an income tax, an estate tax, a gift tax, or a consumption tax, people would prefer a consumption tax because they are in control then. It would also eliminate the need for the IRS. It would eliminate tax day. No more tax day. How many people out there right now in this country are sweating as a result of today being tax day, or just sitting at home thinking, oh, if I can just get through this day? It would allow you to take home 100 percent of your paycheck so that you could control where your hard-earned dollars go. The best part about this is you don't need a law degree or a CPA license to understand it. It is simple. It is fair. It is preferred. For every dollar you pay for a new good or service, 23 cents will go to the Federal Government and 77 cents will go to the business. It is that simple. I agree, 23 percent is too high, but it is much better than what you are paying now. Have you ever looked at your paycheck? Have you ever looked at how much you get paid and how much you get to take home? It is ridiculous. No more, no less, no legal or financial expertise would be required. As I said, a 23 percent consumption tax is a lot. No one likes paying taxes, me included. I don't like paying taxes. I understand it and I am certainly willing to do my part, but I would surely prefer to have control over it instead of some unelected bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., as it is now, having control over it. What many consumers fail to realize and what Washington Democrats conveniently ignore is that today's sticker prices are already inflated to cover corporations' tax burdens. Every tax imposed on businesses, whether it is corporate, FICA, or other taxes is passed down to the consumer. You are already paying taxes every time you purchase a good or service. Under the FairTax Act you are only paying yours, not anyone else's. That is right. On the FairTax Act you will only be paying for what you consume. That is what a consumption tax does. Mr. Speaker, I am going to pause right now and then I will come back and finish what I have to say about this. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), my friend who wants to speak on this FairTax Act.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, again, here you have a businessowner. He knows all about taxes. When he talks about a business that is one of the most regulated in the country, he and our previous speaker, Representative Clyde, boy, you talk about regulated businesses, both of them have regulated businesses. Both of them understand firsthand and have personal experience, real-life experience, about the IRS and taxes. I will address one more myth here, the myth that the FairTax Act will unfairly punish senior citizens living off their retirement income. Unfairly punish senior citizens living off of their retirement income? Wrong. Retired individuals living on fixed incomes will benefit from the FairTax Act, just like all other Americans will benefit. The new system will eliminate the current income tax on Social Security benefits. Have you looked at your Social Security check lately? It is not what it started out at because they take out taxes on it. It will also eliminate the income taxes on investment income, something a lot of retirees have and depend on. It eliminates taxes on pensions, benefits, and individual retirement account, IRA, withdrawals. It eliminates all of that, so don't tell me it is going to punish retirees. It is going to do just the opposite. The monthly prebate will offset the taxes paid by seniors on essential goods. I hear this: Old people aren't going to be able to afford groceries, and they are not going to be able to afford shelter. Wrong. They will be able to afford it. That is what the prebate is about. Essentially, up to $30,000 a year for a family of four, your essential tax rate is going to be zero, nil. Again, senior citizens living off of their retirement income, after the initial implementation of the FairTax Act, if prices increase, penny for penny, seniors will receive additional Social Security benefits until prices return to or below pre-FairTax Act levels. This is simple. It is fair. It is preferred. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Moore), who certainly understands a thing or two about taxes. He has paid enough taxes in his life, I am sure.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for his insightful comments. I think we have all had that aha moment when we got our first paycheck, and we said: Wait a minute, I was supposed to make X-amount, but I am only taking home this amount. Why is that? The reason why is because you are having to pay an income tax, a payroll tax--you have to pay all these taxes. With a consumption tax, the FairTax Act, you decide. If you want to buy a boat, you are going to pay taxes. If you don't want to pay taxes, don't buy the boat. That is all there is to it. I appreciate the gentleman mentioning this about every time you buy something you are paying taxes, every time you purchase a good or a service. Under the FairTax Act you are only paying for your goods or services. You are only paying your tax, not someone else's. There is no other tax proposal--serious tax proposal--that would overhaul the largest and the most regressive tax that the majority of Americans pay, the payroll tax, while making the United States the most competitive place in the world to do business. It honestly baffles me that my friends on the other side of the aisle haven't embraced this proposal with open arms because it will save taxpayers time, money, and headaches while ensuring that those with more money to spend, AKA the wealthy, pay more taxes. After all, when they buy a boat, it is a big boat--usually a yacht--and the taxes on the yacht are a lot bigger. Now, I am going to buy a jon boat. Taxes aren't going to be as much on it. But they buy yachts, and the taxes are high on that. So they are going to pay their fair share. That is one of the criticisms I always hear: Oh, the wealthy don't pay their part. Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, they consume a lot more. Who is going to benefit the most from this? The people making between $30,000 and $50,000 a year. Those are the people who are going to benefit from this. Those are the people whom I am talking about here. Under this proposal, every legal American family will receive a prebate, as was mentioned, on their taxes up to the national poverty level. So, Mr. Speaker, don't tell me this about: Oh, this is going to penalize the very least money earners. No. That is not the case at all because the prebate is going to take care of that. This means that a family of four can spend $30,000 a year without paying a penny--without paying a penny--in taxes. That is an effective tax rate of zero. Close your eyes, Mr. Speaker. That is how much it is: zero. No matter how you slice it, this bill is a much better deal for middle- and low-income earners than it is for those at the top. That is what I don't understand, Mr. Speaker, from those on the other side of the aisle who are always saying: Oh, the rich don't pay their fair share. This is why we have the FairTax Act. This is why we have a consumption tax, so they will be paying their fair share. I hear this about: Oh, the illegals here don't pay taxes. If they are going to buy something here, then they are going to be paying taxes now. They are going to be paying the fair tax. We will be able to capture that underground economy, if you will. As distasteful as it may be, the pimps and the prostitutes are going to be paying taxes because they consume. They go out, and they buy groceries. They go out, and they buy stuff. That is what you are going to be paying the taxes on. No matter how you slice it, Mr. Speaker, this bill is a much better deal for middle- and low-income earners than it is for those on the top. The FairTax Act provides freedom to choose when you pay your taxes, Mr. Speaker, and how much you spend. You are in control. Don't let Washington, D.C., decide how much you are going to pay in taxes. You decide. That is why the administration and that is why those on the other side of the aisle don't like it. It is because they lose control of you, and you have control, Mr. Speaker. Instead of taking money from every single dollar you earn, you are only paying taxes on the money you spend, leaving more room for paying down debt, retirement, college, savings, and more. All of us speaking in support of this legislation today know that this is a big idea. It is a big idea. It is a big change. Although, as Mr. Biggs mentioned, there are nine States that do it. Oh, by the way, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee don't have an income tax. They are doing fine. Some of the strongest economies in the world are right there, and they are doing fine. We know that overturning an entrenched Tax Code with thousands of special interests invested in keeping their carve-outs poses significant challenge. It does pose a significant challenge. But we didn't come to Congress to maintain the status quo--at least that is not why I came here. I thought we were here for big ideas. This is a big idea. For those who are just turning it off saying: Oh, no. I remind them that a closed mind is a dead mind. You have got to have an open mind with this, Mr. Speaker. That is why this is so good. The only people with something to lose are those who gain their power and money on the back of this convoluted, broken system. There are those who know how to play it. I know that, and you know that as well, Mr. Speaker. That is why it is time for the FairTax Act. That is why it is time to put Americans first. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), who has an opinion or two about taxes. I know he does. He has had an experience with taxes too, like many of us have.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, did you hear what he just said? Unleash American growth. Unleash American growth. Wow. What great words. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line: Our current tax system is broken. It is broken, and it is oppressive. The FairTax Act allows Americans to keep 100 percent of their paycheck, of their hard-earned paycheck, and it ends the IRS headache. A family of four earning $30,000 a year is going to pay zero, not one penny, in taxes. Further, this bill will save small businesses hundreds of billions of dollars a year in compliance costs, making it easier to start and grow a business here in America--we need that; we need more small businesses--by capturing the underground economy. Almost every speaker has talked about this. We are going to be capturing the underground economy--tourism dollars, purchases made by illegal immigrants. This bill will save Social Security while leaving more money in the hands of the American people and revolutionizing our economy. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Santos), the latest sponsor of the FairTax bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Martha Zoller, who was recently named TALKERS magazine's 2023 Woman of the Year. Ms. Zoller has been known as a well-respected conservative voice in talk radio since the start of her career in 1994. Ever since then, she has kept people across the State of Georgia and the Nation informed on the news and the state of American politics with her radio broadcasts. In addition to her time in radio, Ms. Zoller has served in the political world, as well. She spent time as the State director for field offices for Governor Brian Kemp, and she was a senior staffer for Senator David Perdue from 2014 to 2018. Ms. Zoller's career in both radio and politics, while also being a mother and grandmother, is a testament to her character and commitment to both her family and her community. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Ms. Zoller again for being named TALKERS' 2023 Woman of the Year.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Ruth Stuenckel, a loving wife, mother, and social worker. A native of Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, Ruth held positions with Children's Seashore House and the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services. In 1989, Ruth and her husband, Elton, moved to Savannah. Shortly after, Ruth became an active member of the choir at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. She traveled internationally with the choir, singing in cathedrals across Europe. Ruth also traveled to Israel and Jordan with the Cape May United Methodist Church. As an artist and avid gardener, she painted much of the beauty she saw in nature. Ruth was also a member of the Savannah Art Association and the Garden Club of Savannah. Another passion of Ruth's was reading. More than being an avid reader, Ruth was a proponent of learning for learning's sake. Every week for more than 20 years, Ruth read to children at Royce Learning Center at Chatham Academy. She will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 105th birthday of Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wheeler, which was on March 24. Mr. Wheeler joined the U.S. Army in April 1941, during the buildup to U.S. involvement in World War II. He was eventually selected to be a member of the Army Air Corps, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Mr. Wheeler then went on to earn his pilot's wings in 1942, 1 year after the attacks on Pearl Harbor. After serving in World War II, Lieutenant Colonel Wheeler left Active Duty to serve with a Reserve unit at Scott Field, Illinois, but his stay was short-lived as he commissioned back into the U.S. Army Air Forces a year later. Mr. Wheeler continued to serve in the Air Force up until his retirement in 1970. Throughout his career, he flew multiple planes, such as the B-47, PT-19, and AT-6. Mr. Wheeler's commitment to his country and his community serves as a testament to his character and the type of American we should all strive to be. Again, I congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wheeler on his 105th birthday, and I wish him many, many more.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise today in full, unambiguous support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. The Energy and Commerce Committee recently heard from David Hickman, a farmer, who described our current economy as the most perilous time for American agriculture. He is right, and he is not alone. Every day that I am in Georgia's First Congressional District, whether I am talking to a parent, a farmer, a teacher, a trucker, or a small business owner, I hear the same concern: Inflation is too high. Everything, from diesel to food, is more expensive under this President, who cannot stop himself from spending your money, stealing your retirement funds, and stomping on your small business. The average household is paying $10,000 more per year as a result of Biden's policies. What is worse is that pain is the point. On day one of his Presidency, President Biden declared war on American energy, and at breakneck speed ended American energy independence and killed thousands of jobs. What came next? Inflation, high interest rates, small businesses closing their doors, and even more inflation. When you plunge a knife into the heart of our economy, you can't be surprised when it begins bleeding out. Fortunately, House Republicans are stepping up and delivering solutions for the American people. H.R. 1 will increase American energy production, reform the permitting process for all industries, reverse this administration's anti-energy policies, streamline energy infrastructure, and boost the production and processing of critical minerals. That is a long-winded way of saying that this bill will make our energy sector more affordable, more efficient, and will create more jobs. The American people told us that inflation and high energy prices were their number one concern, and we are listening by making it the House's number one priority. It doesn't even matter if you think we should ``drill, baby, drill'' or never use fossil fuels again, we need to be able to build in America again. That is why I am particularly glad that my bill, H.R. 1070, was included in this legislation. It will help bring necessary permitting reform and investment in America's critical mineral mining and processing. Right now we rely almost entirely on China for critical minerals needed for batteries, smartphones, military technologies, and more. Simply put, this is not energy independence. We depend more on China than we have ever relied on OPEC or any other countries for oil. It is a national security concern to depend on any one country that much for such an essential material. My district is one of the few places in America that mines critical minerals, and we are eager to bring more of this essential and valuable supply chain home. H.R. 1 is an important step, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this important legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland. The conflict, known as The Troubles, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. The conflict saw families, friends, and neighbors turn on each other. It saw political discourse become replaced by violence and bloodshed. Despite the viciousness and length of the conflict, all parties involved, with U.S. diplomatic support, managed to come to an agreement to end it. Now, 25 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the Emerald Isle remains more peaceful and more prosperous than before the historic agreement. I applaud the commitment to peace by leaders on both sides of the Irish Sea. I also applaud the recent Windsor Framework, which managed to preserve the principles of the Good Friday Agreement while also holding true to the requirements of Brexit. As Americans, we should look to the Good Friday Agreement as hope that despite our differences, we can come together to solve problems, and we can work together as one team to make our country great. Celebrating the Life of Charlene Saunders

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Mr. Jones Hooks, the longest serving executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority. Mr. Hooks' 15 years of service to the people of Jekyll Island will never be forgotten. When he became the executive director in 2008, the island was in economic trouble, with many of its facilities operating at a deficit. To fix this problem, and many others plaguing the island, the authorities on Jekyll proposed multiple goals, such as revitalizing Jekyll's facilities, establishing a credible conservation effort, and partnering with the private sector on certain efforts the Jekyll Island Authority could not handle alone. Mr. Hooks achieved every goal put forth by island leadership. Thanks to his efforts and leadership, Jekyll Island is a thriving community, a hallmark of conservation efforts, a tourism location enjoyed by many, and much more. I thank Mr. Hooks, once again, for his service, and I hope he has a restful retirement. Recognizing 25th Anniversary of Belfast/Good Friday Agreement

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Charlene Saunders, a loving mother, wife, and educator in the Savannah community. Charlene and her husband, Bill, moved to Savannah in 1958 to establish the athletic program at the Savannah Country Day School. During her 31 years at Country Day, Charlene served as the head coach of girls' basketball, girls' track, and the cheerleading team, and she oversaw the PE department. While Charlene's teams amassed winning records, she is remembered for her strong bond with her athletes and as a model of integrity, grace, spirit, and grit. In 1982, Saunders Gym was named in her honor. Charlene and Bill Saunders were fixtures at all student events and were held in such high regard by the student body that they received two yearbook dedications and were also named the honorable homecoming king and queen. Her legacy continues to impact generations of students. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Recognizing Leroy Chapman, Jr.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leroy Chapman, Jr., for being named the new editor-in-chief at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A veteran of the Navy, he has been a journalist for 28 years, originally coming from South Carolina. Leroy currently serves as the managing editor and has been with the AJC since 2011. Over the course of his 27-year career, he has also worked as a columnist and editorial writer, a business reporter, and a college sports reporter. During his career, he has helped cover a number of high-profile stories, including the 2020 election results and the court cases of teachers and administrators charged in the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal. Leroy will be the AJC's first Black editor-in-chief in the newspaper's 155-year history. I congratulate Leroy on this wonderful honor. I look forward to his continued success at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. By the way, this comes from another Leroy.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Brandon Jernigan, the athletic director at Pierce County High School. Brandon has been named the Georgia High School Association's Region 2A athletic director of the year. He has been a coach for 24 years and has spent the last 15 years at Pierce County High School. For the last 6 years, he has served as Pierce County High School's athletic director. During his time as athletic director, Pierce County has achieved many notable athletic accomplishments, including the school's first State football championship. He has also overlooked large expansion projects for the football, baseball, and softball fields. Brandon is much more than just an athletic director. He is a pillar of his community and someone who has made a lasting impact on everyone around him. His impact on our young men and women will be felt for generations to come. Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Dr. Jessica Miller Mullinix, a loving wife and doctor at Candler Hospital in Savannah. Jessica had practiced as an obstetrician/gynecologist at Candler Hospital in Savannah for 4 years, building a loyal following of patients, colleagues, and coworkers. Jessica graduated with magna cum laude honors from the University of Georgia in 2009 and the Mercer University School of Medicine in 2014. During her time at the Mercer University School of Medicine's Savannah campus, Jessica met her husband, Dr. Patrick Mullinix. Jessica completed her residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2018 before joining the staff at Candler where she was the first OB/GYN to serve the Pooler area at the St. Joseph's/ Candler-Pooler Campus. During her residency and 4 years at Candler, Jessica delivered more than a thousand babies. Despite her health struggles, Jessica continued to work full time at Candler, fully dedicated to the many patients that depended on her. Jessica will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor my good friend Dr. William Clark on his birthday. Bill is a resident of Waycross, Georgia, where he practices as an ophthalmologist at the Clark Eye Clinic. He followed in his father's footsteps, returning to southeast Georgia after graduating from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He has since been one of the most highly sought-after ophthalmologists in the entire State. Bill is more than just a physician. He is a leader in our community and our district. He has served as the chair of the Okefenokee Swamp Park Board of Trustees, chair of the Waycross-Ware County Industrial Development Authority, chair of the Waycross Convention and Visitors Bureau, and executive committee member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Clark's impact on ophthalmology in the First District will be felt for generations to come. I won't embarrass Dr. Clark and mention his age, but I will say he is much older than I am. Happy birthday, Bill. Thank you for all you do for our district.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, this past Friday in Savannah, Georgia, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with over 400,000 people lining the streets of Savannah. Today, I rise to highlight the efforts that have been made by Georgia Southern University to strengthen U.S.-Irish relations. In 2019, the university established a learning center in Wexford, Ireland. The new learning center allows students at Georgia Southern to study abroad in Ireland. It allows them to take classes, experience the culture of Ireland, and examine the longstanding connection between Savannah, Georgia, and Ireland. In addition to aiding students at Georgia Southern, efforts made by the university have strengthened the Georgian economy. Efforts by the university's Center for Irish Research and Teaching have led the Savannah Economic Development Authority to select Ireland as a partner for various trade and investment delegations. The initiative also helped secure a Southeast U.S. distribution deal for Survipod, an Irish manufacturer of innovative surveying tools, and a broad-based distribution deal for the Savannah Bee Company in Ireland. I congratulate Georgia Southern University on its accomplishments and thank the university for its efforts to improve U.S.-Irish relations.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nat Legree for his retirement from Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. For the last 42 years, Nat has been a fixture at Wesley Monumental for his constant service to the church. Most of his work was behind the scenes but certainly did not go unnoticed as he helped prepare Wesley for worship, study, and fellowship week after week for many decades. Nat oversaw the grounds and in recent years was responsible for maintaining the beautiful garden at Oliver Hall. Nat's dedication to his church community is admirable and has helped create a wonderful, welcoming environment for many. Wesley Monumental Church will never be the same without Nat. On behalf of the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church family, we are grateful to Nat for all that he has given to our church. Recognizing Bart Davis

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Fanning and Chris Womack of the Southern Company. Tom is the current chairman of the board, CEO, and president of Southern Company. For more than 42 years, Tom's excellent leadership has helped mold Southern Company into the great company it is today. I thank Tom for his decades of service to Southern Company and the First District of Georgia. On March 31, 2023, Chris Womack will become chairman of the board, CEO, and president of Southern Company. Chris currently serves as chairman, president, and CEO of Georgia Power. Prior to those positions, Chris worked for former Congressman Leon Panetta. I congratulate Chris and wish him well as he prepares to lead Southern Company.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Flau'jae Johnson, a Savannah native and member of the LSU women's basketball team. Flau'jae was recently named the SEC Freshman of the Year and was also selected to the 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team. She is the fourth LSU player to earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors, the first since 2009. Flau'jae came to LSU as a highly talented freshman ranked as the No. 26 player in the Nation. She made an immediate impact in Baton Rouge, scoring 11.6 points per game and bringing down 5.9 rebounds per game. She was named SEC Freshman of the Week three times. In her collegiate debut, she scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. She also recorded two assists, two blocks, and one steal. Through her first week of college basketball, Flau'jae scored in double figures all three games. I congratulate Flau'jae on all of her success so far. We are excited to see everything that she will achieve. Recognizing Nat Legree

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bart Davis, who was named the 2023 Georgia Farmer of the Year at this year's Georgia Ag Forecast. Bart began farming 41 years ago in Doerun, Georgia, following the loss of his mother and father during his senior year of high school. Since then, he has grown the then 500-acre operation to encompass 5,000 acres. Today, he focuses on cotton, peanuts, and corn, while also managing a cattle operation. Bart has made impressive strides in using precision agriculture technology to ensure the efficiency of his farm, including the use of soil moisture sensors and irrigation in the majority of his fields. In addition to the work on his own farm, he has given back in various industry leadership roles. He has served on the Georgia Cotton Commission Board, the Georgia Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, the National Cotton Council, and represents Georgia on Southern Cotton Growers and Cotton Incorporated. I thank Bart for his continued dedication to his farm and to the agricultural industry. Recognizing Tom Fanning and Chris Womack

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Trace Carter, an accomplished student golfer at Ware County High School. Barely 2 years into his high school career, Trace is the reigning club champion at Okefenokee Country Club, highly ranked by the American Junior Golf Association, and finished as the boys' 14 to 15 runner-up at the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club. Since competing in his first tournament in 2015, Trace has found tremendous success, finishing second and third the past 2 years at the Okefenokee invitational. He also helped lead Ware County High School to a region title and a top-five finish at the State championship his freshman year. Golf has always been an important part of Trace's family, as his mom and dad both played on State championship teams at Pierce County High School. Chase's grandfather, Royce Carter, my dear friend, and one of my earliest supporters, instilled in him the love of golf at a very young age. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Trace on his accomplishments. I am excited to see what he will achieve in the years to come. Celebrating the Life of Anne Hodnett