Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I withdraw my reservation of a point of order.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation of a point of order, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the State of Georgia for being a top 10 finisher in the country last year for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified green buildings. The United States Green Building Council has been working hard to create a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient world through LEED, and its annual ranking is an opportunity to recognize everyone working toward that goal. Buildings that are LEED certified create healthier spaces for people, use fewer resources, reduce carbon emissions, and improve efficiency while providing operational cost savings. Georgia is a leader in green building and ranks sixth out of the top 10 States. 2022 saw growth in green building and sustainability, and I am proud that Georgia is at the forefront of building a healthier, more sustainable future. I thank all the building professionals who helped our State achieve this ranking. Recognizing Georgia Ports Authority

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the creation of a state-of-the-art poultry science building at my alma mater, the University of Georgia. In the State of Georgia, the poultry industry contributes an annual $21.5 billion to our State's economy. The industry also generates an annual $2.1 billion in Federal tax revenue. The poultry industry is vital to not only the State of Georgia but also the country. That is why I am proud to recognize the University of Georgia for building a brand-new poultry science building on their campus. This $54.1 million facility will feature new classrooms, research labs, and learning labs. These new labs will enhance the traditional classroom experience by offering students opportunities to learn in a fieldwork setting. These facilities are vital for preparing students as they enter the poultry industry. I know this new project will serve the students at the university and the people of Georgia's First District well. Georgia Among LEED-Certified Top 10

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Georgia Ports Authority for handling nearly 6 million 20-foot containers in 2022. In 2022 alone, the Georgia Ports Authority had a 5 percent increase in container handling. Collaborative effort across Georgia's supply chain ensured that cargo movement remained a top priority during a very challenging year. The Port of Savannah achieved 4 of its top 5 months for container volume in 2022, with trade volumes peaking in August at an all-time high of 575,500 20-foot containers. With the renovation of Berth 1 at Garden City Terminal, the 90-acre Garden City Terminal West expansion, and the transition of Ocean Terminal to an all-container facility, the Port of Savannah is set to increase annual capacity from 6 million to 7.5 million 20-foot containers. I congratulate the GPA on this wonderful accomplishment.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the record-breaking completion rates at the University of Georgia. In just one year, the university's 4-year completion rate for freshmen has increased from 72.1 percent to 75.1 percent. The university's 6-year completion rate has reached a new high of 88.1 percent, and the retention rate of students remains strong at 94.3 percent. I commend the university's faculty hiring initiatives that have bolstered this already prestigious institution. High-demand areas of study such as the Terry College of Business and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences continue to provide students with very talented professors, thanks to these initiatives. The university has also continued to grow tutoring and peer learning programs to provide students with all the resources they need to succeed. I am proud of the hard work the University of Georgia is doing to ensure student success across the board. Go Dawgs.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Fanning 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. Tom has been responsible for leading the Nation's new nuclear initiative while at Southern Company. He has overseen the installation of two state-of-the-art units in Georgia, adding more than 4,000 megawatts of renewable energy since 2012. Southern Company is the only U.S. energy provider investing in an all-of-the-above approach to America's energy future. I thank Tom for his decades of service and leadership to Southern Company, the First District of Georgia, and our country. Honoring the Life of Bebe Flynn

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Bebe Flynn. Bebe was born in Lenoir City, Tennessee, in 1921. While living in Lenoir City, Bebe and her family were some of the few Catholics in town. In fact, a priest traveled to say mass once a month in their home. Maintaining her faith was always a strong focus for her. After high school, Bebe attended Saint Mary's Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Knoxville, Tennessee, graduating as a registered nurse in October of 1943. In 1945, she married her childhood friend and high school boyfriend, John Flynn. In 2013, Bebe was the first recipient of Saint Patrick's of the Bishop's Award for her significant contributions to the parish as a volunteer. Bebe and her husband, John, loved to travel in retirement, often with retirees from Denison. She made friends where she went and was known for always keeping an upbeat attitude in life. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize First Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia. For more than 200 years, First Bryan Baptist Church has been an important cornerstone for the Savannah community. This year, the church is celebrating its 235th anniversary. In fact, the First Bryan Baptist Church is considered one of the oldest African-American Baptist churches in the United States. The church is named for the original pastor, an enslaved man, Andrew Bryan. To celebrate the anniversary, members of the congregation put on a play that showed the history of the church's founding. The new pastor-elect, Reverend Christopher Pittman, will be the church's 20th pastor in its long-storied history. Congratulations, First Bryan Baptist Church, on this wonderful anniversary. I hope your next 235 years are as successful as your first. Honoring the Service of Tom Fanning

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Andy Morris, Jr. Andy was the son of the late George Randall Morris, Sr., and Tami Benjamin Gane. He grew up in a loving home and was the oldest of three siblings. Throughout his life, Andy was always very involved with athletics. He was a longtime member of the Brunswick Country Club and, in high school, was a three-sport athlete. After high school, Andy attended Valdosta State University, and then began his career with the creation of Skippers' Fish Camp. Skippers' Fish Camp became a wildly successful restaurant and one of my favorite places to eat. Above all, Andy loved being a father to his children, Tripp and Addie. Andy will be remembered as a loving father that always wanted the very best for his children. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy and with his family. Recognizing First Bryan Baptist Church

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Cecil Abarr, a beloved member of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, who recently passed away at the age of 93. Cecil was born in Iowa in 1929, and upon his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his service, he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. Cecil was also a leader in the private sector, locating to Savannah to become the president of the Branigar Corporation. In this position, he led the development of large real estate projects, which have now been flourishing for decades. Despite all titles and awards he received throughout his life, he is best known as a husband to his wife, Lou, a father to his five children, a grandfather to 16, and great-grandfather to 21. I pass on my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 22 because there is nothing strategic about an empty Strategic Petroleum Reserve. What is worse than not having a strategic reserve is selling it off to adversaries so they can build their own? That is exactly what has been happened over the past 2 years. While our SPR has been depleted in an attempt to cover up the failed energy policies of this administration, China is taking advantage by building up their own reserves. The worst part is that their build-up has come from the U.S. reserves. Let me repeat this. President Biden has sold our valuable Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China while Americans face the highest energy prices in a generation and a Federal Government that has failed to adequately address it by unleashing our own energy potential. And every barrel sold to China makes that decision even more damaging. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 22 to prevent the administration from selling any SPR products to the CCP or related entities. Stop the attacks on American energy, unleash it, and make us energy independent.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of C. Lee Butler of Savannah, Georgia. Lee was born in Chicago in 1926 and graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, in 1944. Five days after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served on the Italian front in World War II. While in law school at Northwestern University, Lee met and married Betty Stanley. Lee and Betty have four children, Darsey, Julia, Malcolm, and Margaret. In 1970, Lee founded his own business, the Fiduciary Services Corporation, now the Fiduciary Group, a successful investment management firm. Lee served at Memorial Medical Center and on the board of St. Joseph's Hospital of Savannah. He was a member of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church since first coming to Savannah in 1957. On behalf of myself and the entire First District of Georgia, we are sorry for the loss of this great American.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rick Deasy, the FLETC Associate Director for Training, who plans to retire this coming February. Rick has had a long and impressive career working for the Federal Government. He served honorably for 22 years in the Armed Forces with active and reserve special operations forces. Before working at FLETC, Rick served as Chief of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Investigations Training Academy. During his tenure as the associate director, Rick was charged with developing and executing FLETC's COVID-19 response, which he did impeccably. He also championed the need for a FLETC medical liaison officer to service medical professionals and trainees. While Rick may be retiring, his impact on FLETC, our district, and our Nation will be felt for generations to come. Congratulations, Rick, on a wonderful and successful career. We hope you enjoy your retirement.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Brian Tuten and Ed Livingston. Brian and Ed are trainers for Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia. In October, during a Benedictine football practice, a player experienced a cardiac event. Brian and Ed jumped into action immediately to save the young boy's life. They performed lifesaving CPR and deployed an AED until the ambulance arrived. Luckily for the player, he is now making a full recovery. If it had not been for the quick action of both Brian and Ed, this situation could have been much worse. Thank you both for your service and dedication to our community and our district. You are both heroes. Celebrating the Camden County Sheriff's Office

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Camden County Sheriff's Office for their hard work in finding a young man who went missing in Camden County during a hunting trip. Camden County Sheriff's Office did not act alone. They had the help of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, McIntosh Fire and Rescue, and the McIntosh Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's department found the man after he had been missing for 3 days. Authorities were worried because temperatures were dropping into the low 30s overnight. Luckily for the hunter, law enforcement worked quickly and efficiently to locate him. The hunter was evaluated by medical personnel and then returned home to his family. None of this would be possible without the quick action of our wonderful law enforcement in the First Congressional District of Georgia. Recognizing Terry College Students

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Terry College's first-place win at the National Black MBA Association Undergraduate Business Case Competition. Terry College is a premier business school located at my alma mater, the University of Georgia, home of the national champions Georgia Bulldogs. Terry College students, Kevin Kamau, Sophia Ige, Lauryn Sanders, and Phillip Ellington were a part of the team that won first place in the competition. The national case competition is a hands-on student consulting experience that provides undergraduates early exposure to MBA-level business case strategy. The program also allows students to be considered for competitive summer internship opportunities. Their team, the first to represent Terry College at the National Black MBA Association Undergraduate Business Case Competition, was tasked with developing a recruitment plan for Generation Z graduates. This team beat out teams from Emory University, the University of Southern California, and Purdue University to take home the first place prize of $15,000. This was the University of Georgia's first time competing, and therefore, they were seen as the underdogs. Congratulations to the team and to the Terry College of Business.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Robert Bowles, Jr., a loving father, husband, and leader from the great State of Georgia. Robert was a proud graduate of the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy. He was the owner and pharmacist at Big C Discount Drugs of Thomaston until his retirement. Robert devoted his professional life to God, his customers, his community, his family, and to both the Georgia Pharmacy Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association. He was responsible for initiating one of the first successful diabetic care programs in the community pharmacy area. Robert is the past president of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, where he served on almost every committee that existed. He was the recipient of many State and national awards during his career, including the Bowl of Hygeia and the Larry L. Braden Meritorious Service Award. Robert's impact on our State will be felt for generations to come. He will be dearly missed. Honoring Brian Tuten and Ed Livingston

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Georgia's Archway Partnership on their recent award, the C. Peter Magrath Award for Community Engagement. This award is the highest award for public service bestowed by the national Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. The University of Georgia's Archway Partnership is nationally recognized for the resources and expertise it provides to rural communities. Since its founding in 2005, the program's partnership has attracted hundreds of faculty and over 1,500 students to help Georgia communities secure more economic development opportunities. Programs like these are critical to ensuring that all areas of the State, rural and urban, can grow and take advantage of their unique situations. They also give students the opportunity to face real-world problems. From economic development to preventative healthcare to broadening access and more, this partnership works to solve the most pressing issues of our time. Additionally, this award comes with a $20,000 prize, which will be used to broaden the scope of what the partnership can take on. Mr. Speaker, I commend Jere Morehead on his leadership at the university and in this program. I am proud of the work that the faculty and students at my alma mater have done to build up the rural communities around our State. On behalf of the entire First District of Georgia, I thank them for their efforts. recognizing thiago almada

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thiago Almada as the first Major League Soccer player to win the World Cup. Thiago was on the Argentinean team that won a thrilling 4-2 penalty shoot-out over France to win the World Cup. Argentina's win gave Lionel Messi his first World Cup trophy, which has eluded his storybook career. When he is not representing Argentina, Thiago plays for Georgia's Atlanta United. During the 2022 season, Thiago started 25 of 29 games and scored six goals. He also had 12 assists and 77 on-target scoring attempts. In 2022, he was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year. During the World Cup, Thiago made one appearance playing 6 minutes against Poland in the Group C finale. At just 21 years old, Thiago has a long career ahead of him. Congratulations, Thiago. Continue to make Georgia proud.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor my friend, Jon Burns, for becoming the new Speaker of the Georgia State House of Representatives. Jon has dedicated his entire life to serving the great State of Georgia. He was elected to the Georgia State House in 2004. During his first session in the Georgia State House, Jon and I were suitemates. Since then, I have enjoyed getting to know Jon and his family and he has become a dear friend. In 2015, Jon was chosen to serve as the Georgia House majority leader and would eventually be elected as the 74th Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. During his time in the State legislature, Jon has worked to bring environmentally balanced economic development, world-class healthcare, quality education, and improved education to Georgia. There is no one more deserving of the speakership than Jon Burns. I look forward to seeing all that he can accomplish and wish him a long and successful tenure. On behalf of myself and the First District of Georgia, I thank him for all he does. university of georgia's community engagement award

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Butler and his service to the State of Georgia as our Commissioner of Labor. Mark has dedicated his entire life to serving the great State of Georgia. He served in the Georgia State House of Representatives for 8 years, where he had the distinct honor of being my suitemate. In January 2011, Mark became Georgia's ninth Commissioner of Labor, and the first Republican to head the department. Since Mark's first election, he has implemented many programs designed to improve the agency's relationships with employers, jobseekers, and Georgia's future workforce. In 2013, he formed the Business Service Unit. This program was designed to foster mutually beneficial relationships with Georgia's employers and economic developers. In 2014, he developed the Labor Department's newest program, Customized Recruitment. This program bridges the gap between employers and job seekers. A committed public servant, statesman, and friend, I thank Mark for his leadership and his hard work. Recognizing and Honoring Jon Burns

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recently crowned 2023 College Football National Champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. This is the second year in a row the Dawgs have won the national championship. The team finished with a 15-0 record and had a Heisman finalist quarterback, Stetson Bennett. In the championship game, the Dawgs demolished the TCU Horned Frogs 65-7. This is the largest bowl win in FBS history. The First District's very own Stetson Bennett finished the night with 304 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was also named the offensive MVP. I personally congratulate Nolan Smith, Micah Morris, Warren McClendon, Jack Podlesny, Darris Smith, and all of our other First District players. Congratulations to the 2023 national champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs.