Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, if I could just mention one thing, and I would be remiss if I did not mention this, because the gentleman has just brought up an outstanding point, and that is: What value are they bringing to the system? What value are PBMs, are middlemen, bringing to the system? That is what I would ask. Now, look, pharmaceutical manufacturers need to do a better job. They need to bring their prices down. But I will cut them some slack. At least they are using their profits to go back into research and development. At least they are doing that. PBMs don't put one red cent into research and development, not one red cent. I repeat what I said earlier. I am not against anybody making money, but, Mr. Speaker, this is causing escalating drug prices. The lack of transparency is causing the problems that we are experiencing right now. The most immediate, the most effective impact that we can have on prescription drug prices is transparency. Sunshine is the greatest disinfectant out there, and we need sunshine. Thank you for what you are doing for the patients. Thank you for what you are doing for the people who are struggling to pay for their prescriptions. That is what this is about.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, if I might just give two examples. First of all, there is an example of Caterpillar. Caterpillar has done away with PBMs. They have done away with the third parties. They are doing it themselves. And you know what it has resulted in? Stable drug prices for the past few years. As opposed to the increases that most companies have seen, Caterpillar, when they cut out the middleman, they have had stable drug prices. They said: We can do this better. And they have done it better. Keep in mind--the second thing that I want to point out is, keep in mind, why were PBMs created? First of all, they were created to process claims, insurance claims. But what is their purpose? They will tell you our purpose is to keep drug prices down. Our purpose is to keep drug prices down. Mr. Speaker, how is that working out for you? They are not keeping drug prices down. They are keeping drug prices up. They are one of the reasons why drug prices are going up, one of the primary reasons. I can remember when I started practicing pharmacy in 1980. And I am proud to say that I am that old. I started practicing pharmacy in 1980. We used to buy directly from the drug companies. I would buy directly from Upjohn, from Merck Sharp & Dohme, from Squibb, from whoever. There was no middleman there. Now I can't even do that. I have to go through the PBM. I have to go through all these different layers and layers in order to get the medication. PBMs, if their purpose is to control drug prices, then what is going on? Because drug prices ar escalating. What a tangled web we weave.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. There is no question about it. Let me, if I may.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for hosting this tonight and for his advocacy on the part of the community pharmacy, but, more importantly, on the part of the patients, because that is what this is about. This is about patients, about patient care, about escalating prescription costs. That is what we are talking about here, about unfair trade practices. This is America. Like my colleague mentioned earlier, I am not opposed to anybody making money. That is great. More power to them. But where there is a problem with transparency, there is a problem with PBMs. There is a problem with escalating drug prices. I want to mention that I have been a practicing pharmacist, as Representative Collins mentioned, for over 30 years. I have worked with my neighbors and my friends to really provide a helpful voice for their needs. Beneficiaries are facing increased costs in prescription drugs without much of a basis notification as to why these costs are skyrocketing. My friend, Representative Collins; my friend, Representative Scott; others--even on the other side of the aisle--Representative Peter Welch, Representative Elijah Cummings, and Representative Dave Loebsack, this is a nonpartisan issue. Everybody has to have prescription medications. Whether you are a Democrat, whether you are a Republican, whether you are an Independent, it doesn't matter. Everyone is the victim of escalating prescription drug costs. The problem is we have got to understand where that is coming from. I thank Representative Collins for his legislation, the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, to bring about greater transparency in the role that pharmacy benefit managers, the PBMs, have in the drug pricing structure. Many people don't understand the structure or where the additional fees are originating from, which is often a direct result of the lack of transparency between the manufacturer and the dispenser. Let me repeat that. Many people don't understand the structure. I will be quite honest with you. I have been working with this for over 30 years, and I still don't understand it. In fact, I have got numerous examples of where CEOs have said they don't understand it. It is intentionally-- intentionally--complicated so that no one understands it. I had the opportunity last year as a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. We had the CEO of Mylan pharmaceuticals. Mylan, of course, is the manufacturer of EpiPen. It went up in price. The EpiPen costs $600 for a dual pack. I said: Okay. When it leaves you, the manufacturer, you are the beginning. You are the manufacturer. How much have you got in costs? She responded: I have got $100, maybe $150 in costs. I said: Okay. You are the beginning. I am the end. I am the dispensing pharmacist. When it gets to me, it is $600--$150 at the beginning, $600 at the end. What happened in between? What happened in between? Now, a lot of times it is lost on some of my colleagues here and on the average American because all they are concerned about what the copay is, if the copay is $15 or if the copay is zero. Okay. But keep in mind that somebody somewhere is still paying that $600. In a lot of cases, it is the Federal Government through Medicare part D or State Medicaid plans. Somebody somewhere is paying it. But when you have the CEO of a manufacturer, when I asked her a direct question, ``What happens in between that $150 and that $600?'' and she says, ``I don't know,'' and I am the pharmacist and I say, ``I don't know either,'' somebody somewhere has to know. I can tell you it is the middle man. The most effective, the most immediate impact that we can have on prescription drug pricing is to pass this bill that Representative Collins has and to have transparency in drug pricing. Sunshine is the greatest disinfectant of all. If we have sunshine, we will have lower drug prices if we have transparency. I want to give a couple of other examples. My colleague, Representative Collins, mentioned about three PBMs controlling 80 percent of the market. That is not competition when you have got three companies that control 80 percent of a market Did you know that Express Scripts, the number one PBM in the country, had gross revenues almost equal to McDonald's, Ford Motor Company, and Pfizer pharmaceuticals added together? Added together, this one PBM. Now, again, I am not opposed to anyone making money. More power to them. But how are they making it? Nobody knows. Why don't we have transparency? Everybody wants lower drug prices, and we have all got to do a better job. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have got to do a better job. Pharmacists have got to do a better job. GPOs have got to do a better job. But until we have transparency, we are never going to be able to get it under control. I want to give a couple other examples. The manufacturer of the hepatitis C drug has had so much criticism about the price, and it is too expensive. Gilead pharmaceuticals makes SOVALDI. SOVALDI accused Express Scripts of not warning them to go down on the price of SOVALDI. Gilead said: You never wanted us to go down on that price because you are getting a percentage rebate. The higher the cost of that medication, the higher rebate you are getting. My colleague mentioned about the lawsuit that Anthem has against Express Scripts. Anthem is not going to renew their contract with Express Scripts because they are suing them for billions--that is billions with a ``B''--of dollars, saying: You owe us billions of dollars. These are real-life examples of what I am talking about. That is why we need to pass the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act that Representative Collins is pushing so hard, and has been, and we thank him for that. I want to also talk about some other bills here continuing in the theme of transparency. We have an opportunity to address the issue of retroactive DIR fees and the impact they have on drug pricing. My colleague, Representative Scott, mentioned DIR fees and clawbacks. DIR fees are having a negative impact on the ability to provide accurate and comprehensive services to the beneficiary. Those fees are a large unknown for pharmacists and don't provide clarity on drug costs to the patient or whether they will be able to accurately meet the needs of their patients. Ultimately, the patient ends up being penalized, and that is an issue that must be addressed. Ultimately, what this boils down to is the patient--the patient, Mr. Speaker, the patient. Let's stay focused on what we are supposed to be focused on, and that is the patient. We talk about drug costs and we talk about healthcare. We want accessibility, we want affordability, and we want patient-centered healthcare. That is what we want in prescription drugs, accessibility and affordability. Yes, they need to come down in prices. And again, the most effective, the immediate impact that we can have is to have transparency, transparency in the middleman in what they are doing. That is the reason why Congressman Morgan Griffith's legislation is helpful in bringing about stability. Pharmacies would no longer be penalized for providing the same quality service they always have simply because PBMs have shifted cost under a lack of transparency. With this legislation, we can keep costs down for beneficiaries. Now, I want to talk about another piece of legislation that another good friend, Representative Brett Guthrie from Kentucky has introduced, H.R. 592, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, to address the role of pharmacists in rural communities. With this bill, many of the individuals who seek consultation, especially seniors, can contribute to receive quality input and expertise. There are many underserved and rural areas of the country where patients don't have access to a primary care provider but have access to a pharmacist. Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals that we have. That is why provider status is so important. That is what we call this, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act. Under this legislation, pharmacists can continue to service those rural and underserved areas and fill a role that is vital to the healthcare of these residents in these areas. I also want to compliment and commend Representative Griffith again on his efforts to keep patients' access to compounded medications intact. In June, he introduced a Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act of 2017. This bill will provide further guidance for the FDA, medical providers, patients, and compounding pharmacies about what constitutes pharmacy compounding and what is regarded as drug manufacturing. This legislation will provide a crucial balance between public safety and patients' access to the medications they need. Lastly, the leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee has been critical in advancing legislation both in the 114th and 115th Congress that will lead to research and development of new drugs and treatments. I commend my colleagues on their hard work and thank my good friends for the opportunity to speak tonight on this issue that is very important to me. Mr. Speaker, the President has identified escalating prescription drug cost as being one of his biggest priorities. He has said himself: If you are on the other side of research and development, you need to beware because we are coming after you. PBMs, you are on the other side of research and development, and we are coming after you. This is too important. It is too important to the patients who are trying to get these medications, who need these medications. All we are asking for here is transparency. All we are asking for is to shine the light on what is going on. I know they make it difficult to understand. It is a shell game. It is nothing more than a shell game. Again, I want to commend my colleague, my friend, Representative Collins, for his untiring advocacy on the part of community pharmacists and on the part of citizens who need and depend on their community pharmacists.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ms. Vera Powell, who lives in Pooler, Georgia. Ms. Powell was born on July 16, 1927, in Tattnall County, Georgia, about 60 miles due west of Savannah. After graduating from Tattnall County High School, Ms. Powell dedicated her life to her family and raising her three children: Bruce, Linda, and Crystal. In 1994, Ms. Powell moved from Tattnall County to Pooler, Georgia, and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Pooler. Her love of God and fellowship with others turned into a meaningful role with the church's weekly Sunday school class. Now she has been an active weekly participant, greatly contributing to the fellowship and scholarship with the class for the past 23 years, and is a staple of the church. The members of the congregation look forward to seeing Ms. Powell as she greets them at the church doors every Sunday morning. Ms. Powell's family and friends celebrated her 90th birthday with a reception on July 16, 2017. Please join me in wishing this remarkable woman a very happy birthday.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2430, the FDA Reauthorization Act, because of its importance to our healthcare system and the millions of people who depend on it. The FDA Reauthorization Act is essential as we seek reforms to the way we develop new drugs and therapies and the ways in which we are able to get those to market. Under this legislation, we are streamlining the approval process to maintain the provisions that make our market, while making changes to ensure new therapies aren't unnecessarily held up. We have set benchmarks for reviews to ensure that the drug approval process is moving along and doesn't get bogged down by bureaucratic red tape. And most importantly, we are providing patients with a chance to pursue new and innovative drugs that can really make a difference in their life. We have seen progress in the approval of rare disease drugs, helping millions who suffer from diseases that often have no treatment. With this bill, we can provide them with new opportunities. Additionally, we will be able to see more generics entering the market, increasing competition and driving down costs for consumers. I applaud Chairman Walden, Chairman Burgess, and all of my colleagues on the committee for helping to get this essential legislation to the finish line.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2017.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 60.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our electric linemen, the men and women who ensure our lights stay shining every day. In Georgia, electric utility companies have started a movement to recognize the hard work linemen do every day. Companies such as Georgia Power and MEAG Power celebrate their workers, who make modern living possible. Without linemen, we would not have many of the things we have grown accustomed to using. Air conditioning, refrigerators, warm showers, entertainment devices, and plenty more, are all things we would have to learn to live without. It is easy to take these services for granted, but it is important to remember the people who make it all possible. Earlier this year, we witnessed the valuable and honorable service these individuals provide when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes tore through Georgia over 3 days. Homes and businesses were destroyed and thousands of citizens were left in the dark. Crews of linemen all across the State joined together and selflessly worked for 2 weeks until every light was back on. It is our duty not to overlook the workers and services that make our lives easier. I want to take this time and sincerely thank not just linemen in Georgia, but all linemen across the Nation, for powering the life inside our homes.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department's construction of its newest training facility, which memorializes long-time Sheriff Al St. Lawrence. After 21 years of service as an officer, St. Lawrence ran for Chatham County Sheriff in 1992. Because of his outstanding service to our community, his constituents reelected him five times. He held this position until he passed away on November 25, 2015. Sheriff St. Lawrence was also responsible for overseeing the significant renovation of the county jail, which ultimately added an additional 400,000 square feet to the facility and doubled inmate occupancy. Remembering Sheriff St. Lawrence's dedication to training personnel, the Chatham County Police Department developed the Al St. Lawrence Recruitment and Training Range. This range will not only provide effective training resources to officers but will also house the Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division and the U.S. Marshals Service. The facility is located on 10 acres of property at the Chatham County Sheriff's Office and includes several training ranges, including cable ranges, steel target ranges, and a Rogers Range, which improves an officer's aim when discharging a firearm. Twice a month, the facility will also host a civilian gun class, which is open to the public. Educating the public on firearm safety will reduce the risk of accidental deaths from the misuse of guns. Sheriff St. Lawrence's enduring service will forever be etched in the history of Chatham County, and his contributions will ensure that Chatham County will remain a safe, thriving community for years to come. Lineman Appreciation

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. That is one of the major problems. For instance, in my practice, I practiced in Savannah, Georgia, which is on the South Carolina line, and only 2 hours from the Florida State line. That was a constant problem for us. I could look at my data all day long, but I wouldn't know whether they had gotten something filled in South Carolina or in Florida.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Yes, they are. They have to show an ID in order to pick it up. Now, the prescription itself is a C2 prescription, so if we don't recognize them at the pharmacy, we have to ask them for their ID to make sure that is indeed the person who is picking it up. We also have a program in Georgia, in fact, a program that you are very familiar with, a prescription drug monitoring program, that allows us to go and check a database to see if that person has actually been doctor shopping or is pharmacy shopping and getting it at other places. That has helped us. It is a great tool in fighting this epidemic.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. That is correct.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for hosting this Special Order. This is certainly a very important subject, one that I am very familiar with. It is indeed an epidemic in our country. There is not a State nor a district that hasn't been touched by this problem. Countless people have succumbed to this issue. That issue is the use of opioids and the devastating impact on our communities. Recent data showed that overdose deaths have jumped by over 50 percent in the decade leading up to 2015. In addition, nearly 1,300 people died in Georgia in 2015 from drug overdoses. These are statistics that need to be urgently addressed. We have made great progress with the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, but we have an opportunity to do more. One staggering statistic is that last year it is estimated that roughly 60,000 people died from drug overdoses--a number that is far too high. Just earlier this month, four people in central Georgia died in a matter of 2 days due to opioid overdoses from falsely labeled drugs. That instance is not only troubling because it reflects growing painkiller use in the rural parts of my State, but because it also represents another problem: counterfeit and fake drugs. An issue that I have been working on is the growing trend of drugs and drug ingredients being ordered abroad and delivered through the mail to addresses around the country. A recent Wall Street Journal article mentioned the synthetic opioids that are being brought into this country and the methods by which they are doing it. An example of one of those drugs is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is wreaking havoc across the country. We must not only look at the types of drugs that are being used, but also how people are acquiring them and how to effectively limit that. Our enforcement personnel are working diligently with the Postal Service to find ways to curb this trend, such as using advanced data. But it is a topic that needs more work. By cutting off their ability to purchase these dangerous synthetic opioids, we can help to limit this epidemic. As a lifelong pharmacist, I have seen firsthand the dangers and problems associated with opioid abuse and its impact on our communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to counter this trend in hopes of saving lives. Again, I want to thank the gentleman for hosting this tonight. It is so very vital to our country. Thank you for allowing me to speak.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Congregation Mickve Israel in Savannah, Georgia, as it celebrates its incredible 284th anniversary on July 11, 2017. Just 5 months after General James Oglethorpe settled the colony, Jewish settlers fleeing persecution in Europe arrived in Georgia. They sought refuge in Savannah, where they were free to practice their beliefs. This brave group soon founded the Congregation Mickve Israel. Predating our country by several decades as the first congregation in the South, Mickve Israel set an important precedent for the Jewish people. As such, wars, plagues, and religious struggles each challenged the congregation over the years, yet Mickve Israel has withstood the test of time. It continues to be a beacon for the faithful and now welcomes 380 families inside its walls. The story of Mickve Israel is special to the people and has been recognized for its achievement since its early years. President George Washington sent a personal letter to the congregation to honor its members and wish them well. Since then, numerous Presidents over the years have made similar gestures, each one acknowledging the congregation's longevity and importance to the Jewish community. I would also like to acknowledge the congregation's importance and congratulate Congregation Mickve Israel in reaching this impressive milestone. I know this religious community will continue to serve a caring, faithful, and integral role in Savannah, Georgia.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church on its 87th anniversary this year. In 1930, God gave a group of dynamic trailblazers, under the leadership of the church's first pastor, Reverend R.D. Cooper, a vision to help establish a permanent place of worship. They purchased land and built the first structure that would become St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church. On that location, the members of St. Mary embraced the church's unified goal of ``Touching Lives for Christ.'' As pastors came and went over the years, each had their own vision on how to improve and enrich the church and its congregation. The church's current leader, Minister Lawrence F. Baker, Sr., joined St. Mary as its pastor in 2005 and made many improvements and purchases that helped the church grow its membership while never losing sight of its vision. St. Mary is a truly blessed congregation with its kind and charitable members serving the community any way they can. As the church continues to grow, the good people of St. Mary touch more lives every day. On June 11, communities and congregations from all over came together to celebrate St. Mary's history and future. I congratulate Minister Baker on his impressive leadership of this dynamic organization.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Ms. Connie Patrick for her service to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, as she retires as its director this Friday, June 30, 2017. Director Patrick began her career in law enforcement in 1976, when she was sworn in as a deputy with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office in Titusville, Florida. Her hard work and determination gave her the opportunity for a promotion to serve as a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. After 20 years with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, she began her work with the FLETC. Director Patrick's impeccable work ethic gained her a promotion to Director of the FLETC in 2002. She has since served in that capacity. Under Director Patrick's leadership, local, State and, Federal training facility growth has increased by an astonishing 22 percent. The FLETC has also trained more students during her tenure than it did in its first 36 years of existence. As Director of this division of Homeland Security, Director Patrick oversaw training for a majority of Federal officers and agents from more than 90 Federal organizations on the local, State, and national levels. These facilities graduate approximately 63,000 law enforcement officers annually. To date, Director Patrick is the longest-serving head of any component of the Department of Homeland Security. Director Patrick has also found the time to serve as a leader among members of the National Sheriffs' Association Education and Awards Committee, as well as the executive committee of the National Law Enforcement Exploring Committee. I thank Director Patrick for her invaluable dedication to ensuring that our law enforcement officers are properly trained to protect our loved ones. St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church Anniversary

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Monsignor William O'Neill, who celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination on June 4, 2017, marking his 50th year of service with the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Irish Catholics have been an important aspect of Savannah's culture and history since their arrival during the mid-19th century. Today, Savannah maintains important aspects of Irish Catholic culture, and is now home to the third largest St. Patrick's Day festival in the world. A native of Ireland, a newly ordained O'Neill arrived in the heat of a Georgia summer in 1967. His first assignment was to St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta. Later, Father O'Neill would go on to manage the cathedral at Abercorn and Harris, which has become an architectural staple in the city of Savannah. Father O'Neill's graciousness and love for the Catholic faith and its Savannah followers led him to begin the renovation of the cathedral on Abercorn and Harris in 1998, which involved the removal and cleaning of over 50 stained glass windows, the replacement of the slate roof, and the restoration of the building's interior. On February 4, 2001, Father O'Neill was made the first priest of the Savannah Diocese in nearly 34 years to be invested with the title of Monsignor, which serves as a recognition of his commitment to the Diocese. Although he has since retired, Father O'Neill remains an active part of the Diocese. I congratulate Father O'Neill and I thank him for his commitment to the First Congressional District of Georgia. Retirement of FLETC Director Connie L. Patrick

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Kathleen Russell, from Darien, Georgia, who received the President's Award on behalf of the Georgia Press Association on Friday, June 2, 2017. Ms. Russell's strong dedication to her role as longtime editor of The Darien News makes her worthy of such an honor. Each year, an individual who has exhibited outstanding leadership abilities and who serves as an innovator in Georgia's media industry is named a recipient of this prestigious award. For generations, members of Ms. Russell's family have worked in the press, and it is only fitting that Ms. Russell would find herself working as a journalist. Constituents remember Ms. Russell's beloved father, Mr. Charles Williamson, as a journalist who stood up to wrongdoers in McIntosh County, exposing corruption and theft by a multitude of former county officials. As a child, Kathleen assisted her parents in the production of the weekly newspaper. During that time, her parents nurtured her love for the press. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1974, Ms. Russell began a career as an educator. She left education in pursuit of a career as a journalist and assumed the role of associate editor of The Darien News. In 2009, Ms. Russell was honored for her hard work when she was named publisher and editor of the newspaper. Ms. Russell has remained an active member of McIntosh County, serving on several boards over the years, including the Division of Family and Children Services, Darien Downtown Development Authority, and the College of Coastal Georgia Foundation. Ms. Russell, I applaud your efforts to keep the citizens of Georgia's First Congressional District in tune with current events throughout our State and country.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Mrs. Nan Thompson Miller, who passed away on Saturday, June 10, at the age of 89, and was laid to rest last week in Dublin, Georgia. Mrs. Miller worked hard during her long life, selflessly serving others through a profession she loved. At the age of 17, Mrs. Miller joined the United States Army Nurse Corps and attended the University of Georgia to study nursing, where she was a member of the last graduating class to receive their RN degrees. Following the war, Mrs. Miller put her training to work with the Naval Hospital in Dublin, where she eventually rose to the position of head nurse before retiring in 1983. As a young nurse, Mrs. Miller met the late George Anderson Miller, to whom she was married for 55 years. The Millers were active members of their community that helped form the Pine Forest United Methodist Church. Mrs. Miller was also a member of the Pilot Club of Dublin, the Order of the Blarney Stone, and the American Nurses Association. Today, I have the pleasure of working with Mrs. Miller's granddaughter, Brooke. I can say from my own experience that Brooke's commitment to public service and dedication to our constituents is a wonderful testament to the legacy of her grandmother. Mr. Speaker, I hope all Members will join me; my wife, Amy; and my staff in sending our thoughts and prayers to the Miller family as they remember the life and legacy of Mrs. Nan Thompson Miller. Georgia Press Association Award Recipient, Kathleen Russell

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the remarkable life of Mr. ``Gus'' Karle of Waycross, Georgia, who passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2017. From a young age, Mr. Karle was deeply interested in trains and railways. In 1939, he skipped school to visit his local train station, where he landed his first job at the young age of 12, working as an assistant porter, responsible for loading and unloading train passengers. After graduating from Wabash College in Indiana, he went on to start a career in railroad industry design and construction, working as an administrator for nearly 40 years. Mr. Karle's career was extremely important to the economic development of the City of Waycross, Georgia, by way of his involvement in the design of Rice Yard, one of the busiest CSX rail crossroads in the Nation. Rice Yard serves as a daily transfer point for nearly 3,000 rail cars and remains one of the city's biggest employers, staffed by nearly 1,300 people from Ware and surrounding counties. Mr. Karle retired from CSX Railroad in 2016. Last year, former CSX president, Clarence Gooden, whom Mr. Karle hired and trained in 1970, proclaimed every November 16 ``A.A. `Gus' Karle Day'' in commemoration of Mr. Karle's hard work with the company. Mr. Karle is a legend around Waycross. I want to thank him and his family for everything that he did to make Waycross and the First Congressional District of Georgia what it is today. In Remembrance of Mrs. Nan Thompson Miller

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable career of Ms. Tina Herring, who retired as branch manager with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services on Thursday, June 1, 2017. During her childhood, Ms. Herring often moved with her father, a Pearl Harbor survivor who frequently traveled on Air Force assignments. This instilled an appreciation for our Nation's Armed Forces. She began her career with the Department of Veterans Services in 1985 as a benefits caseworker. In this position, she worked to ensure that Georgia's servicemen and -women received the crucial resources and benefits which they and their families deserve. Ms. Herring was promoted to oversee multiple southeast branches of the Georgia Veterans Services Department in 2009 because of her exceptional dedication to Georgia's veterans and her 25 years of hard work. Ms. Herring, thank you for your extraordinary effort in honoring our servicemen and -women. You have managed southeast Georgia's Veterans Department with exceptional precision. I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable career of Mrs. Ophelia Gaines, who will retire as executive director of Concerted Services on June 30, 2017. Mrs. Gaines' career with Concerted Services, a nonprofit action group that focuses on fighting poverty throughout 28 counties in southeast Georgia, has spanned nearly 44 years. Mrs. Gaines began her work with the company in 1973, traveling door to door in low-income communities, educating families on how to enroll in programs like Head Start, Energy Assistance, and Senior Nutrition. Mrs. Gaines' altruistic career continued with her decision to teach social work classes at both Georgia Southern University and Savannah State University, enabling young people to carry on her work throughout southeast Georgia. I am proud to rise today to recognize Mrs. Gaines, and thank her for all of her outstanding contributions to our local communities and to the lives of our fellow Georgians.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of the respected Savannah lawyer and gentleman, Paul W. Painter, Jr., who passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at the age of 71. Mr. Painter comes from a family that has worked tirelessly to serve our country both in the Armed Forces as well as our judiciary system. His father, Paul Painter, Sr., served during World War II, and then created a successful law practice. Paul Painter, Jr., followed in his father's footsteps, graduating from Georgia Tech, and then serving in the Navy for 4 years. After that, Mr. Painter attended law school at the University of Georgia, beginning a career that would benefit and serve many Savannahians for years to come. Mr. Painter started his own firm in Savannah, now known as the Ellis, Painter, Ratterree, & Adams Law Firm, with which he practiced for nearly 30 years. By the end of his law career, he was known as one of the best lawyers in the entire State of Georgia and was named to the list of Georgia's Top 10 lawyers in 2014. The Paul W. Painter, Jr., Civility and Professional Award was also created in his honor to remember his fantastic work and to reward other outstanding lawyers in Georgia. Mr. Painter was an honorable person who did everything possible to improve our judicial system, and he gained respect from lawyers all over. He will certainly be missed as an asset to our community and the entire legal field.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of Judge Alex Atwood, who received the American Patriot Award from the Glynn County Veterans Council on May 29, 2017. Each year, one individual that has exhibited leadership that positively impacts Glynn County receives this award. Mr. Atwood is certainly worthy of this title. He started his career as a local law enforcement officer before he transitioned his knowledge of the law into a career as a special agent with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, where he educated thousands on the role of public defenders. In Glynn County, Judge Atwood is well known for his extraordinary legal career, serving as a magistrate judge for Glynn County and as a representative for Georgia's 179th District in the Georgia General Assembly. In this capacity, Judge Atwood has been a champion for Georgians. He introduced legislation that set parameters for illegal immigration, provides protections against human trafficking, and generates structured legal reform. Judge Atwood has found the time to devote himself to a number of Glynn County organizations, working with each to make Glynn County a better place. Judge Atwood is a beaming example of leadership, and his career serves as an important lesson in fulfilling our civic duty as Americans.