Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Blood Cancer Awareness Month this past September. Including leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and more, around 14,000 Americans are diagnosed with blood cancer types each month. Although a staggering statistic, doctors and researchers across the globe have made significant advances since the 1960s. For some blood cancers, survival rates have more than quadrupled. As with any illness, early detection is important; so I encourage everyone to see their doctor, get a check-up, and discuss whether they have had any symptoms that could be related to blood cancer. Mr. Speaker, if you have had bone pain, frequent nose bleeds, or tiny red spots on your skin, I especially encourage you to see a doctor. I will continue supporting researchers to make further advances in eradicating these diseases. National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize this past September 29 as Gold Star Mother's Day. Originally dedicated in 1936, the last Sunday in September each year honors mothers who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Service and sacrifice for our Nation is not only a personal commitment, but one that involves the sacrifice of entire families and even whole communities. In Gold Star Mothers we can see one of the most important reminders of this sacrifice. Thank you to the Gold Star Mothers for your own service to our Nation. I understand that a day of recognition will not bring back the lives of your children, but you continue to be an inspiration to us all. With national conventions, fundraising events, and Federal advocacy, you continue to move forward and make our world a better place to live.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Mr. Marvin H. ``Mark'' Chesser who passed away at the age of 78 on September 25, the mayor pro tem of Ludowici in Long County in the First Congressional District of Georgia. His friends and colleagues remember him as a valuable servant to the community who served tirelessly and did a great job. Even before becoming the mayor pro tem, Mr. Chesser spent countless hours dedicated to his local community. One important example of his work includes his time driving school busses for the district there. In addition, he was very active within his church, both in the men's ministry and driving the church van for Wednesday night activities. During his time as mayor pro tem, Mr. Chesser worked hard to promote policies that boosted the economy, and increased jobs in Ludowici. I am thankful that we had Mr. Chesser in the First Congressional District where his passion made our area a better place to live. Mr. Chesser's family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Pat Godbey, who was sworn in as the president of the American College of Pathologists on September 18. The college's 36th president, Dr. Godbey has been active with the organization for the last 25 years, serving on numerous committees and councils. His election is an extraordinary honor, with the College of American Pathologists being the world's largest association of board- certified pathologists. As president, Dr. Godbey will be tasked with continuing their commitment to creating accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care. I know that he is up to the task. He has already served a 2-year term as president and maintains an exceptional track record as director of the Southeast Georgia Health System in the First Congressional District of Georgia. Congratulations on your election, Dr. Godbey. Keep up the good work.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Clean Energy Week, September 23 through September 27. Clean energy throughout our world is critical in fighting climate change and making our world greener and more efficient. Currently, only a small portion of our total energy consumption in the U.S. comes from clean energy, and we are going to need more innovation and a booming economy to continue raising the statistics for clean energy. In this regard, Georgia has largely been leading the way. Over the past 5 years, we have been one of the top ten States in solar power, all without State tax credits or mandates. 175,000 homes are powered by solar, an increase of 13-fold over the last 5 years. I am proud of the State of Georgia's work and hope the rest of the Nation will follow our lead. However, while we boost our clean energy, we cannot forget the importance of a consistent, reliable energy supply, as well as the importance of energy independence to our homeland security. While I personally subscribe to an all-of-the-above energy strategy, I encourage all of my colleagues during this National Clean Energy Week to honestly discuss these issues in a bipartisan fashion.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Lucy Greene, who was awarded the W. Parker Greene Legacy Award on September 16, 2019. Dr. Greene, along with her late husband, Parker Greene, were staunch advocates for Moody Air Force Base for the last 40 years. During this time, the pair and their advocacy could not have been more important to the First Congressional District of Georgia. They have been referred to as our region's civilian secret weapons in keeping Moody Air Force Base open and viable. Making relationships with generals at the Department of Defense, they kept Moody Air Force Base off the list for base closures. In turn, they kept the Valdosta community churning. But on her own, Dr. Lucy Greene was critical in supporting the airmen at the base. She taught courses for airmen who had children with developmental disorders. She even handed out fabric softener sheets so the airmen could keep the sand gnats away. Congratulations on your award, Dr. Greene. You deserve it.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Georgia Army National Guard, whose last unit is coming home this month from Afghanistan. Stationed at Fort Stewart in the First Congressional District of Georgia, the 177th Brigade Engineer Battalion is the only unmanned aerial vehicle unit in the entire Georgia National Guard. Because of that expertise, they remained in Afghanistan longer than other units, and their high quality of work has not gone unnoticed. Upon returning home, they will be working in a brand-new facility at Fort Stewart for the first time. I am proud to have this group located in the First Congressional District of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank them for their service to our country, and I welcome them home.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th anniversary of EMD Performance Material's Savannah location. I am so proud of the work this company has done over the last 40 years, providing nearly 140 jobs for citizens in the First Congressional District of Georgia. More than just jobs alone, EMD brings a prestige to our area that comes along with its brand name. At the Savannah location specifically, they manufacture groundbreaking liquid crystals that are largely responsible for advancing razor sharp margins in smartphones, laptops, flat-screen TVs, and more. EMD's success is a great example of why the State of Georgia was named as the top State to do business for the sixth year in a row. And Savannah itself has a strategic location with its connection to a major seaport and interstates. Madam Speaker, I thank EMD for their work in our area, and I congratulate them on their anniversary. I hope that we will have another 40 years of working together. Recognizing Georgia Army National Guard

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize World Pharmacists' Day 2019 being celebrated today. I am proud that we have a day like this for people all over the world to remember the important role that pharmacists play in keeping all of us and our loved ones healthy. There are currently over 2 million practicing pharmacists around the world, but in each nation, pharmacists are combating unique problems. For some countries pharmacists are at a severe shortage. In the United States, pharmacists have been thrown into the front lines of a critical issue: the opioid epidemic. Currently, more than 115 people die every day from opioid addictions, and pharmacists will play an integral role in bringing this number all the way down to zero. Madam Speaker, I encourage everyone to get to know their pharmacists and to thank them for the work that they do. As the only pharmacist currently serving in Congress, I thank all our pharmacists around the world. Congratulating EMD Performance Materials on their 40th Anniversary

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the ninth President of Savannah State University, Mr. Cyrus G. Wiley. At the time called the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, Mr. Wiley made tremendous strides forward for the oldest public historically Black college in the State of Georgia. He started his term in 1921 and was the first alumnus to become president of the school. In that same year, he allowed women to attend for the first time and he transitioned the college out of its role providing high school programs and into a 4 year, degree-granting institution. Nearly 100 years later, the school remains a vital part of the Savannah community. They have earned patents in battling Alzheimer's and ALS, built new science and technology buildings, and purchased new property for a new marine lab. Madam Speaker, I want to thank everyone at Savannah State University, especially President Kimberly Ballard-Washington, for following in Mr. Wiley's footsteps to continue breaking barriers, their commitment to the Savannah community, and for providing a great education for the students. World Pharmacists' Day 2019

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Warrant Officer Harry W. Sweezey, Jr., as we celebrate his 80th birthday on September 27. Mr. Sweezey is a true American hero who served for more than 20 years in the United States Navy and Coast Guard, earning numerous awards for his valiant service. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1939, Mr. Sweezey's father served in the Navy during World War II but passed away in an aircraft accident after the war. Nevertheless, Mr. Sweezey's passion for serving our Nation persisted, and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school. After transferring to serve in the U.S. Army, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a helicopter pilot, serving all over the world, including in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the Czech Republic-Germany border, and in the Middle East. Rising to the rank of chief warrant officer, Mr. Sweezey retired from the Army in 1991 and was awarded the Legion of Merit. Mr. Sweezey continues to serve, having joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in his retirement community of Panama City, Florida, rising to the rank of flotilla commander. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Sweezey for his service to our country. He is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Security Agency police officer Ms. Karen Brown for being named the 2019 Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Honor Graduate of the Year. The most prestigious award for FLETC students, Ms. Brown excelled with high marks in academics, physical fitness, and firearms training. Originally from Ohio, Ms. Brown has worked at the NSA for the last 15 years serving in a number of roles at the agency; personal security, polygraph examination, counterintelligence threat examination, and more. We thank Ms. Brown for her service to our Nation. A ceremony was held at FLETC to reward her accomplishments on Tuesday, August 27. In addition to Ms. Brown's great work, I want to thank all of the students, recent graduates, and instructors at FLETC for their commitment to our Nation in bettering their workforce training. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Camp in Glynn County truly does an outstanding job in getting their students the necessary skills to thrive in any situation they may face in the field.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to this bill and the other two natural resources bills that we will be considering this week. Let me start by saying that it is unfortunate that we are in this position today. One of the predominant reasons for this disappointment is that I, like many of my colleagues, both support energy development, while looking after our natural and ecological resources. I love my district dearly. I was born and raised there. I have lived there all of my life and will continue to live there the rest of my life. I value the beautiful coastline that we have in my district. But blanket bans instituted by these bills across the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Arctic are misguided and are, quite plainly, the wrong approach. In January of last year, I raised concerns with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management about how this plan would affect Georgia and my constituents. In April of this year, after the Georgia General Assembly passed a resolution opposing energy exploration in Federal waters off of Georgia, I sent a letter to Secretary Bernhardt requesting he exclude Georgia from consideration under this plan. Mr. Chair, I have taken public service seriously for my entire life. When I was elected to serve the people of the First District of Georgia, I knew that I would be representing the will of my constituents up here. That is why I have been firm in my stance that Georgia be removed from consideration due to concerns from the State legislature. But while my request to remove Georgia from consideration under this plan stands, I firmly believe it would be unwise and counterproductive to move forward with this blanket ban on U.S. Federal waters. Knowing these bills would be coming to the floor, I knew I needed to do something to support the request I heard in the district that waters off of Georgia be removed. That is why I, in order to abide by my commitment to my constituents in our community, submitted three amendments to the Rules Committee. Unfortunately, my amendments, which would empower States to decide what is best for them, remove Georgia from consideration, and address undersea national security, were not accepted by my colleagues across the aisle. Let me be clear. This wasn't a rejection of including the amendments in the bill. This was a rejection of the ability to even debate them. My colleagues across the aisle who had championed the will of the States to decide what is best for them when it comes to this topic, would not let my amendments move forward. For those who were so opposed to energy development offshore, I didn't even have the opportunity to have an amendment removing Georgia from consideration debated on the floor of this House. Mr. Chair, it is really unfortunate that we are voting on these bills which would sacrifice tens of thousands of jobs and millions in economic benefits for political grandstanding. To step back on domestic energy development is to promote foreign energy consumption. I can still remember when the United States was held hostage to Middle Eastern resources, and we can't allow that to happen again. While I believe Georgia should be removed from consideration, these bills are not the solution. I oppose these three bills, and I hope my colleagues will actually work with us on real solutions rather than promoting messaging bills.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bill Lewis, who retired on Monday, August 12, after nearly 40 years working in the Chatham County judicial system. Chatham County's chief assistant public defender, Mr. Lewis found his calling in 1980 after trying out a number of other careers first. The combination of helping people while also being able to stand up, arguing in the courtroom, drew him to the career. And it paid off. In his own words, Mr. Lewis loved every day of his job, and he liked defending people's freedom rather than fighting over their money. It also paid off for Chatham County because of Mr. Lewis' exceptional reputation for being a calming voice in the courtroom and his care of his clients. During his tenure, he earned some of the most prestigious awards in the Savannah area: the Robbie Robinson Award for his success in public defense and the Thomas More Award for his religious affiliation and commitment to humanity. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Lewis for his service to our community. His work will be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Laura Anderson, who retired from her broadcasting post with WTKS in Savannah on September 6. Originally from South Carolina, Ms. Anderson came to the First Congressional District of Georgia after her college graduation for love, life, and work. For life, it was our large green spaces and easygoing people in our area. The love portion included her marriage and becoming a mother. But her work is what nearly everyone in Savannah has woken up to for the past 21 years. Ms. Anderson hosted the Savannah News Now radio program on WTKS, along with her morning costar, Mr. Bill Edwards. With high-quality news, the program has become one of the most trusted in the Savannah area, interviewing countless community leaders, and giving commuters important daily updates. Now, she is leaving the air to spend more time with her family. Madam Speaker, I wish Laura the best of luck in her future endeavors. Laura will be missed on the air every morning.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 693, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Budd).

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. John W. Rose).

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Tennessee.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. DesJarlais).

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), a veterinarian, who has worked on this bill tirelessly and has done a yeoman's job at getting it to this point here.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 693, the PAST Act. In a bipartisan fashion, this bill takes a step forward to protect horses from abuse and make the practice of ``soring'' something of the past. As with many other professions, I know the vast majority of breeders and trainers care deeply about their horses and their businesses. As someone who has been a practicing pharmacist for over 30 years, I can tell you that there is nothing more offensive than people in your profession who don't follow the rules. That is why it is so important to address the small number of bad actors and ensure that the men and women who follow the rules have the ability to operate in a profession they care so deeply about. Although the practice of soring is already banned and the industry takes action to police itself, there are still examples of this occurring in the United States. Additionally, loopholes in Federal law often disallowed the United States Department of Agriculture from taking action against those individuals who are soring their horses. That is why this bill is so important. H.R. 639 amends the 1976 Horse Protection Act to make important changes in enforcement and to address any criteria that could lead to soring. In addition to the technical provisions laid out in this bill, it is an example of the work that can be accomplished when both sides of the aisle work together. While I would have preferred we address this in the Energy and Commerce Committee, we are here because of the widespread support for this legislation, which has 307 cosponsors. Simply put, we are here because we want to improve the support and strengthen it, not weaken it. It is my hope that we can continue to work on these and other issues together to ensure a better industry for all of those involved. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 2507, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019. Newborn screening is critical in early detection and intervention for conditions, some life-threatening, for our Nation's infants. These screenings inform both physicians and the families of a newborn what steps may be necessary to treat or prevent further health complications as the infant ages. The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act, which passed for the first time in 2008, aims to improve the ability to address pediatric health by standardizing newborn screening programs. Newborn screenings are incredibly important in providing physicians and families with information regarding their baby's health, enabling them to practice early intervention and treatment, if necessary. According to the March of Dimes, in 2017, only 10 States and Washington, D.C., required infant screening for the recommended disorders. Since enactment of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act, all the States, D.C., and Puerto Rico screen for at least 29 of the 35 recommended conditions. This bill would reauthorize funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health to ensure that our newborn screening remains comprehensive and that our Nation's healthcare providers are adequately equipped to conduct the screenings. Newborn screenings are for serious but rare conditions that families and doctors may otherwise be unable to detect at birth. Newborns are screened in the hospital when they are 1 or 2 days old by blood tests, in addition to hearing and heart screenings. About 1 in 300 newborns has a condition that can be detected via newborn screening. By catching these disorders early, many can be managed successfully, allowing children to live fuller, better lives. However, if not detected and left untreated, these conditions can impact a child for the rest of their life by causing disabilities, delays in development, illness, or even death. Prior to the passage of the initial bill in 2008, States had varying standards for newborn screening. Some States were only screening for 4 conditions in 2002, when other States were screening for more than 30. Reauthorizing the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act will allow the CDC to work with States to continue to level the playing field and provide for equal access to newborn screenings across the country. H.R. 2507 also reauthorizes grants through the Health Resources and Services Administration that not only allows for expansion of screening programs but improved follow-up care after a detection. The bill also allows for the continuation of the National Institutes of Health Hunter Kelly Newborn Screening program, which helps to identify new treatments for conditions detected in newborn screenings. I applaud Representatives Roybal-Allard and Simpson for their work on this bill, and I urge my fellow Members to support H.R. 2507. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time. I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 776, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Reauthorization Act of 2019. I would like to thank Representatives Peter King and Kathy Castor for their work on this important legislation. The Emergency Medical Services for Children program was enacted in 1984 to provide grant funding to increase the ability of emergency medical systems to care for pediatric populations. Not only does this program provide funding so that emergency departments and hospitals can equip themselves with the appropriate pediatric medical tools, it enables partnerships and drives research and innovation in emergency care for children. Whether children require emergency care following a car crash or fall ill in the middle of the night with nowhere else to turn, our emergency medical system needs to have staff trained in how to treat children. A major part of that is providing the resources to equip healthcare professionals with the right size medical tools. The Emergency Medical Services for Children program provides grants for the State Partnership Program to integrate pediatric care into the EMS system and reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality. States can focus on providing quality prehospital and hospital-based care, in addition to establishing plans to handle disaster and trauma care. Our Nation's healthcare workforce still has much to learn about the treatment of pediatric populations, which is why continued research through the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network is crucial. This body is the first federally funded pediatric emergency medicine research network in the country and conducts a wide variety of research about acute illness and injuries in children. The reauthorization of the Emergency Medical Services for Children program is critical to maintaining and improving pediatric emergency care. Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support of H.R. 776, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, reauthorizing the Autism CARES Act will continue the scientific development in understanding autism and support those with autism spectrum disorder. Since its original passage in 2006, we have invested over $3 billion for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Health Resources and Services Administration to help the autism community. We provided services through programs and grants to benefit individuals with autism. We have improved training for those working with autistic patients, including how to better deter and diagnose autism. We have expanded prevalence monitoring to improve our understanding of our population, and we have also invested in research that transforms our understanding of autism spectrum disorder and how we were able to treat and care for that community. In Georgia, we are able to see up close what a big impact these programs can make in our children's lives. Children's Hospital of Atlanta's Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest autism centers in the U.S. Since opening, they have treated more than 40,000 children from Georgia and across the country, and we are blessed to have them in our State. This reauthorization builds on our good work from the past, ensuring that places like the Marcus Autism Center can continue helping our children moving forward. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.