Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish the great Georgia Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller a happy 85th birthday. He celebrated his milestone on February 24, 2017. For his undergraduate education, Mr. Miller attended the University of Georgia as well as my alma mater, Young Harris College. He often compared Young Harris to a shoe factory because, as he says, you enter single but you leave as a pair. Fittingly, it is where Mr. Miller met his wife of more than 60 years, Shirley. Also fittingly, it is where I met my wife of 38 years, Amy. Mr. Miller has dedicated much of his life to serving the public, starting out as the mayor of his small hometown of Young Harris in north Georgia. This outstanding career led him through every level of service, including State senator, Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and United States Senator. Mr. Miller's dedication to his home State of Georgia and the United States as a whole continues to have lasting effects that are felt to this day. As Governor of Georgia one of Mr. Miller's greatest gifts was the HOPE Scholarship. This fund opens up educational opportunities for thousands of Georgians every year by providing college tuition assistance to qualified students. Mr. Miller's legacy is well known in Georgia, but his accomplishments and charisma also earned him the respect of his colleagues across our Nation. Once again, I want to wish a happy 85th birthday to Zell Miller and thank him for his contributions to Georgia and the United States. We can all learn from the great example of his dedication to the public. {time} 1930

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Ninth Annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill. This is a special day where we will have the chance to recognize pharmacy's many contributions to the American healthcare system. Organized by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), this event will take place next week, on March 14-15, 2017. More than 400 individuals from the pharmacy community, including practicing pharmacists, pharmacy school faculty and students, state pharmacy association representatives and pharmacy company leaders, will visit us here on Capitol Hill. Advocates from 47 states will share their views with us about the importance of supporting their access agenda, legislative priorities that will ensure that our constituents will continue to have access to more than 40,000 community and neighborhood pharmacies across the country and be better able to utilize pharmacists to improve healthcare quality while reducing the cost of care. Patients have always relied on their local pharmacist to meet their healthcare needs and we as policymakers know our local pharmacists to be important community leaders. They are trusted, highly accessible healthcare providers deeply committed to providing high quality, convenient, and efficient healthcare services. A recent national survey showed that 65 percent of the public view pharmacists as individuals who provide credible advice to reduce health costs and in 2016, pharmacists again ranked second in Gallup's Honesty and Ethics survey. As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, pharmacists have expanded their role in healthcare delivery, partnering with physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers to meet their patients' needs. Innovative services provided by pharmacists do even more to improve overall patient health and wellness. Pharmacists are highly valued by those that rely on them most, those in rural and underserved areas, as well as older Americans, and those struggling to manage chronic diseases. Pharmacy services improve patients' quality of life as well as healthcare affordability. By helping patients take their medications effectively and providing preventive services, pharmacists help avoid more costly forms of care. Pharmacists also help patients identify strategies to save money, such as through better understanding of their pharmacy benefits, using generic medications, and obtaining 90-day supplies of prescription drugs from local pharmacies. Pharmacists are the nation's most accessible healthcare providers. In many communities, especially in rural areas, the local pharmacist is a patient's most direct link to healthcare. In fact, 91 percent of Americans reside within five miles of a community pharmacy. Utilizing their specialized education, pharmacists play a major role in medication therapy management, disease-state management, immunizations, healthcare screenings, and other healthcare services designed to improve patient health and reduce overall healthcare costs. Pharmacists are also expanding their role into new models of care based on quality of services and outcomes, such as accountable care organizations (AC0s) and medical homes. The pharmacy advocates of NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill will be promoting an access agenda. They know that we face difficult debates about the future of healthcare and the pharmacy community wishes to work with us to help in the effort to develop comprehensive and consistent approaches to public policy that put pharmacy's value to work for patients and payers. They understand well that the issues we are debating today are highly connected and vital to pharmacy, to all of healthcare, and to society as a whole. Specifically, advocates will be working to ensure that any changes to the Affordable Care Act do not jeopardize patient access to their local community retail pharmacy. They will also be seeking our support for H.R. 592, the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, a bill I strongly support to allow Medicare Part B to utilize pharmacists to their full capability by providing underserved beneficiaries with services, subject to state scope of practice laws. Already in the 115th Congress, H.R. 592 has 134 cosponsors and the companion bill in the Senate, S. 109, has 32 cosponsors. Finally, they will be talking with us about ways to improve neighborhood pharmacy access for TRICARE beneficiaries and about bringing much-needed transparency and consistency to so-called DIR fees, the complicated fee structure imposed on pharmacies to participate in the Medicare Part D program. I believe Congress should look at every opportunity to make sure that pharmacists are allowed to utilize their training to the fullest to provide the services that can improve care, increase access and lower costs. In recognition of the Ninth Annual NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, I would like to congratulate pharmacy leaders, pharmacists, students, and the entire pharmacy community represented by NACDS, for their contributions to the health and wellness of the American people.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Collins for holding this tonight, for organizing this, also for his advocacy, and for what he has done to bring about attention to this very important subject. This, of course, is something that is very dear to my heart. As the only pharmacist currently serving in Congress, I take this very seriously. I take that responsibility very seriously. But it is more than that because, you see, in my professional life, for over 30 years, I had the honor of practicing pharmacy. I have built up relationships over that time, relationships with families and with patients. When I see what is happening in pharmacy now, it is an affront. It is an affront to me, and it should be an affront to all Americans. My heart is in this, truly in this. In over 30 years of practice, I have built up relationships with patients and with families. I have served grandparents, I have served parents, I have served children, and total families. You can only imagine the hurt that it brings whenever I see these people suffering because of what has been mentioned here tonight. Right now, in our country, prescription drug prices are something that is in the forefront, in the news. There is a problem, a real big problem, and that problem--yes, the pharmaceutical manufacturers have a concern here, and they have responsibility. But there is a bigger problem. It is what I refer to as the man behind the curtain. I wrote an op-ed about this and talked about the man behind the curtain. That is the PBMs, the pharmacy benefit managers. I am going to call them out tonight. Before I do that, I want to just say something about community pharmacists because they play such an important and vital role in our communities. They directly interface and build relationships with neighbors and friends. I have been there, I have done that, and I understand how important it is. Representative Collins has spoken about it, and Representative Loebsack, a friend of pharmacy, has spoken so many times. He has spoken about it as well. Representative Babin and Representative Duncan understand how important the community pharmacies are and how important they are to the healthcare system. But beneficiaries are facing increased costs for prescription drugs without much of a basis or notification on why these costs are skyrocketing. So, very quickly, I want to talk about why these costs are skyrocketing. Yes, as I said earlier, some of the pharmaceutical manufacturers need to be held accountable. They do. I say that, but I also say that I am a big fan of the pharmaceutical manufacturers. You see, in my over 30 years of practicing pharmacy, I have seen nothing short of miracles. I can remember when I started practicing in 1980. I can remember that people would come in to get an antibiotic and that we would have to dispense 40 capsules and have them take four a day for 10 days. Now I can give them one capsule, and they can take it and be done with it. People were going into the hospital back then to be treated for infections. Now we can treat then. The advances that we have seen are phenomenal. We talk about the price of some of these drugs, for instance, the drug that is used for hepatitis C. Yes, it is too expensive, and that price has come down significantly. It is only as good as it is affordable. If it is not accessible, if it is not affordable, then it is no good. But stop for just one minute, and think about it. We cured a deadly disease through research and development. The pharmaceutical manufacturers put some of their profits back into research and development, which I applaud. We cured a deadly disease, hepatitis C, that was killing people. Again, that price needs to come down so that it is more accessible to people. But, again, we cured it. So I am going to cut the pharmaceutical manufacturers a little bit of leeway there. I think it is interesting that the President, in his first month in office, called the pharmaceutical manufacturers to the White House. He told them: You got to do something about these escalating drug prices. He also talked about those people who are on the other side of R&D, who are on the other side of research and development. He put a notice out, and he said: You better beware because we're going to be watching you. The next day, the stocks of two of the major pharmacy benefit managers went down. They went down significantly, almost 2 percent, because they knew what was coming, and they know what is coming now. First of all, let's talk about the profits of the PBMs. A quick history, PBMs came about kind of in the mid 1960s, and all they were was a processor. Their goal and their charge was just to keep up and to process insurance claims as insurance came about and became more and more popular to pay for medications. That is all they did. But over time, they have evolved into more than that. If you look at what has happened over the past decade, the profits of the three major PBMs--and Representative Collins alluded to this earlier--you have got three companies who control almost 80 percent of the market. That is not good. That is not competition, and that is what we have to have in health care in order to decrease healthcare costs. It is competition. When you have three companies that account for almost 80 percent of the market, that is never good. But if you look at those three companies and you look at their profits over the last decade, you will see that they have increased some 600 percent--billions of dollars. Now, you can make the argument, well, the pharmaceutical manufacturers, their profits have increased, too. Yes, they have; and, yes, they should be accountable for that. However, at least they are bringing value to the system by investing into research and development. PBMs bring no value to the healthcare system at all. They put no money into research and development. All they do is skim it off the top. As medications go up in price, they make more. Representative Collins alluded to spread pricing. That is exactly what he is talking about, and that is exactly how they are making their money. The more expensive a drug, the more money the PBM is going to make. That's all there is to it. I served on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for the past session in the 114th Congress. We had a problem with Mylan Pharmaceuticals and a drug that they had, EpiPen. It went up to $600. Unbelievable. Here was a drug that is a lifesaving drug that people have to have for anaphylactic shock. We in Congress actually passed legislation that required that drug to be on hand in gyms and in schools in case there was a problem. Yet, they went up to $600. It was really interesting because, during the time that we were asking questions of the CEO, she mentioned, well, when it leaves us, it is this price right here--I am just going to use round figures--it is $150. By the time it gets to the pharmacist and by the time it is dispensed to the patient, it is $600. I asked her: What is that difference there? Where is that coming from? I don't know. I don't know either. Now, there is the beginning and the end. The beginning is the pharmaceutical manufacturer. She doesn't know. The end is me, the dispensing pharmacist, and I don't know. That is what I'm referring to when I talk about the man behind the curtain. That is where the PBMs come in. Now, they will tell you: Well, we are taking that money, and we are giving it back to the companies, to the insurance. Well, if they are, and they're not keeping any of it, then why are their profits going up so much? Why have their profits gone up over 600 percent? It's because they're keeping it. They're keeping it, and they're adding no value whatsoever to the system. Now, they will argue the fact, they will say: Well, we are keeping drug prices down. Oh, yeah? Well, how is that working out for you? It ain't working out very well at all because drug prices are going up. I mentioned the competition, the fact that we have got three companies that control over 80 percent of the market. That decreases choices. We are talking about community pharmacies, and I know that is what Representative Collins is really wanting to focus on here tonight, and it is so very important because we have to have community pharmacies. They are vital to the healthcare system. In many areas, the most accessible healthcare professional is the pharmacist, particularly in rural areas. As they go, and as they are eliminated, we are losing a vital part of the healthcare system. But PBMs are shutting out a lot of these community pharmacies. I alluded earlier to the fact that I have served grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. I've built up those relationships. One of the toughest things that I have ever faced is for a family member to come in to me literally in tears and say: I have got to change pharmacies. I say: Why? Because my insurance company, because my PBM says that I have to get it from them through mail order. Well, why would you have to get it through them through mail order? Because they own the pharmacy. Representative Collins alluded earlier about vertical integration, and that is what we see. The PBM owns the pharmacy that they are requiring the patient to go to. Well, guess what? That means they are padding their pocket even more. That is the kind of thing that we should be protected from. I will give you a quick story, a true story. Back when I was still practicing pharmacy and owned my pharmacy, my wife had insurance through her employer. She had a different insurance plan than I had. She got her insurance, and she got a prescription filled at my pharmacy--at my pharmacy. Now, this is the pharmacy benefit manager who owns the pharmacy. That night when I got home, I got a phone call from the insurance company saying: Well, your wife got a prescription filled here at this pharmacy, but if she gets it filled at our pharmacy, we can give her a lower copay. We can give her a discount. Now, supposedly there is a firewall in between the PBM and the pharmacy. Well, guess what? There wasn't that firewall there that night, not when I got that phone call. Can you imagine? What is that doing? That is taking patients away from the community pharmacist. That is unfair business practices. So, that is what we talk about. Ultimately, who suffers? I don't want to give the impression I am just here to try to make sure that community pharmacies stay profitable and make sure that they stay in business, although it is important. If they don't stay in business, who is going to suffer? It is going to be the patient. It is going to be the healthcare system. Folks, the only thing that is going to bring down costs in our healthcare system is more competition and free market principles. That is what we are trying to do now in Congress, through the repeal and the replacement of the Affordable Care Act. We understand that we have got to get free market principles back into the healthcare system. We have got to get competition in order to drive healthcare costs down. We understand that. This is a big problem, a big problem. Very quickly, I want to talk about three bills that are being proposed. First of all, I want to talk about Representative Collins' MAC Transparency bill. Transparency, that means give us an opportunity to see exactly what is going on. If you mention transparency to a PBM, they go berserk: My gosh, no, we can't have that. We can't have transparency. But Representative Collins' bill, the MAC Transparency bill, which I am proud to be an original cosponsor of, brings about greater transparency in generic pricing--drug pricing, in general, but particularly generic. Many of the recipients don't understand the cost structure. They don't understand how that works, where the original fees are originating from, which are often a direct result of the fees that are leveraged by the PBMs, the prescription drug plan sponsors. Congressman Collins' bill addresses this issue, and it addresses more. Under his legislation, a process would be established to help mediate disputes in drug pricing. It would establish new criteria for PBMs to adhere to when managing the costs of prescription drug coverage. This MAC Transparency bill is a step forward not only for the industry, but for the beneficiary, and that is what is so very, very important. It is no surprise that costs are going up. No surprise at all. With the lack of transparency, that is what is going to happen. We have got to have greater transparency in the drug pricing system. And, yes, that includes pharmacy. Yes, that includes the pharmacy; yes, it includes the pharmaceutical manufacturer; but mostly, it has got to be with the PBMs. If we have a CEO of a medication--a pharmaceutical company like Mylan which we had come up and testify before us here in Congress, and I ask her about that gap there and where that money is going, if she doesn't know and I don't know, there is a problem. That means we need more transparency. And that is exactly what happened. Now I want to talk about another problem that is called DIR fees, direct and indirect remuneration. Let me tell you, this will be the death of community pharmacies. DIR fees are what they refer to as clawback fees. What happens is, when you go into a pharmacy, you get a prescription filled, the pharmacy's computer calls the insurance company's computer, the PBM's computer, and it tells us how much to charge the patient in a copay and tells us how much we are going to get paid. However, with these DIR fees, months later, after we have already been promised how much we are going to be paid, pharmacists are getting bills from these PBMs that are saying: Well, we didn't make quite as much that quarter as we should have, so we are going to have to claw back this much. I met with pharmacists from the New York State pharmacy association and they were telling me, literally, horror stories about getting bills for $85,000, $110,000 in clawback fees. Folks, that is not a sustainable business model. When you are trying to run a business, a community pharmacy, and you get a bill months later in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, that is not sustainable. You can't stay in business that way. We have got to do something about DIR fees. Thankfully, Representative Morgan Griffith from Virginia has a bill addressing this. I am supporting him on that bill. In fact, in a recent survey, nearly 70 percent of community pharmacists indicated that they don't receive any information about when those fees will be collected or how large they will be. Again, ultimately, who ends up being penalized? Who ends up being penalized is the patient. The patient ends up being penalized. Understand, this is not a partisan issue. These PBMs don't care whether you are Republican or Democrat. They care about one thing, and that is profit. That is all. Now, let's talk about one other. Let's talk about a bill that Representative Brett Guthrie from Kentucky has, H.R. 592, Pharmacies and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act. Under this bill, many of the individuals who seek consultation, especially seniors, can continue to receive that quality input and expertise. This bill is known as the pharmacy provider status. Simply, what this will do is make sure that the pharmacists who give consultations are being reimbursed for that. That is vitally important. Pharmacies are the front line in health care. There are so many diseases. The pharmacists who are graduating today are so clinically superior to when I graduated. Their expertise is beyond anything that I ever imagined it would be. We need to make sure that we are utilizing that. That is going to be a key in helping us control healthcare costs: utilizing all these allied health fields and making sure we are using them to their fullest potential. This bill will help us do that. So there are just three bills that are being introduced right now with community pharmacists that impact pharmacy but, more importantly, that impact health care and that are going to help us have a great healthcare system and to continue to have a great healthcare system. There are a couple other things that I wanted to mention. I am going to hold off on those because, again, I want to make sure that everybody understands the point that I am trying to make, and that is just how important, how vital the community pharmacies are and just how bad the PBMs are and how they are ripping off the public. They are ripping off the public. Look at their balance sheets. Look at the profits. Again, they want to argue, and they want to say: We are holding down drug prices. Again, how is that working for you? It is not working. It is not working because they are pocketing the profits. If they were truly doing what they said they set out to do, we wouldn't see escalating drug prices like we are seeing. Yes, there are some bad actors out there, as there are in every profession. Yes, we had Turing Pharmaceuticals and Martin Shkreli, the ``pharma bro.'' This guy was a crook, no question about it. We had Valeant Pharmaceuticals and what they did with Isuprel and Nitropress. Just recently, Marathon Pharmaceuticals bought a drug that was available over in Europe. They brought it over here and got it approved in America. It is a very important drug for muscular dystrophy. Now they want to increase the price to an enormous amount that won't be affordable for patients. Those are bad actors. As my daddy used to say, you are going to have that, and we understand that. We have Valeant and Turing and Marathon. We are calling them out, too. They need to be called out. But we also need to focus on what one of the biggest problems is in escalating prescription drug prices, and that is the PBMs. They bring no value whatsoever to the system. They put no profit back into research and development. Communities' pharmacists play an important role in our healthcare system. I am proud to support our community pharmacists. I am proud to have been able to practice in a profession for over 30 years that I know brings a great deal of value to patients and to their families. Again, I want to thank Representative Collins, and I want to commend him for his hard work. Representative Austin Scott is here, also. He has been a champion of this as well. They understand. They get it. I appreciate their efforts on that, and I appreciate everyone who has been here tonight. I thank Representative Collins for hosting us here tonight. I appreciate his support.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss how ObamaCare has impacted families in the First District of Georgia. I want to share the story of the Joiner family from southeast Georgia. Bob Joiner is an independent wealth adviser. His wife, Kim, works at a small practice as an audiologist. They have a 28-year-old son named Wesley. Bob, Kim, and Wesley are healthy individuals who exercise regularly and eat healthy. Before ObamaCare, the Joiner family's annual premium was $7,428 for the whole family. At that time, the Joiners had the ability to choose from multiple providers and dozens of healthcare plans. Unfortunately, thanks to ObamaCare, this is no longer the case for the Joiners. In 2016, Bob's monthly healthcare premium skyrocketed 134 percent, and Wesley's increased an incredible 190 percent. In total, the family's 2016 annual premiums were $4,285 for Wesley, and $19,026 for Bob and Kim. Let me repeat that. In total, the family's 2016 annual premiums were $4,285 for Wesley, and $19,026 for Bob and Kim. The Joiners had hoped to change their plan in 2017 to something more affordable but found only one ObamaCare-compliant plan to choose from. Now, the family worries about their ability to pay down their mortgage and save for retirement because of increasing healthcare costs. And the Joiners aren't alone. I hear similar stories all the time as I travel the district, because ObamaCare has brought chaos into our healthcare system. Patients in south Georgia and across America deserve better. That is why we are on a mission to resuscitate our healthcare system.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Mary Grosse, from Tybee Island, Georgia. At 85 years young, she remarkably set a USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor 10K record. She accomplished this during the 2016 Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run, where she finished with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 59 seconds. Not only did that time win her the 80 to 98 age group, but it also placed her in the top 10 of the women's 65 to 69 age group. With her passion for exercise, Ms. Grosse has gained local celebrity status on Tybee Island, where the locals greet her as she walks her daily 6-mile route. In 1964, Ms. Grosse moved to Tybee Island after working as an FBI secretary in Washington for several years. In 1971, Ms. Grosse and her family opened The Sugar Shack, which is now a staple of the Tybee Island community. Her daily walks, for the past 30 years, have been a positive outlet for her and kept both her body and mind young over the years. Her dedication serves as inspiration for her family and the community. I am proud to congratulate Ms. Grosse on her new record, but also recognize her for her positive attitude, her dedication, and her contributions to Tybee Island. Failure of ObamaCare

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, I was absent due to personal reasons and missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall No. 93 on Ordering the Previous Question, ``aye''; Rollcall No. 94 Adoption of the Combined Rule of H.J. Res. 43 and H.J. Res. 69, ``aye''; Rollcall No. 95 passage of H.J. Res. 67, ``aye''; Rollcall No. 96 passage of H.J. Res. 66, ``aye''; and Rollcall No. 97 passage of H.J. Res. 42, ``aye''.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 42, which disapproves of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor on drug testing of unemployment insurance applicants. In 2012, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act was passed into law. This bipartisan reform allowed, but did not require, States to administer drug tests to those applying for unemployment insurance benefits. Unemployment insurance applicants are required by law to be able and available for employment, and drug testing is one of the most effective ways to ensure applicants meet this requirement. This law was also intended to reassure employers and taxpayers who fund the unemployment insurance program that those claiming benefits were truly ready to be hired and work. In the years following the passage of this law, the Department of Labor failed to issue a rule to implement it. But in the final months of the Obama administration, the Department of Labor issued a final rule that severely limited States' ability to drug test unemployment insurance applicants. In issuing this rule, the Department of Labor acted outside their authority and went against the clear intent of Congress. H.J. Res. 42 would provide for disapproval of this rule through the Congressional Review Act. This is needed to remove this overreaching rule and allow for the original intent of the law to be fully implemented. States are in the best position to determine how to efficiently and effectively administer unemployment insurance programs, and should be allowed to drug test applicants if they choose to do so. Reform of the unemployment insurance program is of particular interest to me. Last Congress, I introduced the Ensuring Quality in the Unemployment Insurance Program Act, which would allow States to choose how to implement drug testing on unemployment insurance applicants. I thank Chairman Brady and Chairman Cole for their attention to this very important issue, and I look forward to working with them to enact meaningful reforms to the unemployment insurance program. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and this resolution.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of my dear friend, Mr. Randell Kicklighter, who passed away on Saturday, February 11, at the age of 74. Randell, as he was known to his family and friends, was an icon in the Garden City, Georgia, community. He spent his life helping others, sharing wisdom, and brightening people's days. At the age of 18, he met the love of his life, Bessie. Ten months after the couple met, they ran away and married. Randell went on to serve 2 years in the United States Army, making sure to always have Bessie by his side. During this period, the couple spent time in both the U.S. and Germany serving our Nation. When Randell returned from duty, he decided to go to beauty school and become a hairdresser, which would allow him to work beside Bessie every day. They opened a salon called Randell and Dean's, which quickly gained a reputation around Garden City. Clients would say you could not expect a quick trim because long conversations with Randell were a must. I can attest to this firsthand. You see, Randell kept my hair for over 37 years. Many times it was just he and I together, and he was truly one of my best friends. However, Randell worked harder than nearly anyone around. He never retired and worked until the last day in his salon. Each day after work, Randell would head to the gym to exercise. Even there, he continued his hard work and long conversations. In the 1960s, Randell won many power lifting competitions. Then, at the age of 61, he competed and won national bodybuilding competitions. Even at the gym, Randell was talking to people about his children and grandchildren and sharing tips about exercise. Randell was one of my best friends, and I will miss him, as will everyone who had the honor of knowing him.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for your thoughts and prayers for Mrs. Leigh Ryan, a Tybee Island mother of two who is battling an aggressive form of cancer. Originally from Roberta, Georgia, Mrs. Ryan settled on Tybee Island 20 years ago to work as a nurse at Memorial University Medical Center. Since arriving on Tybee Island, giving back to the community has been a top priority for Mrs. Ryan, who is a member of Junior League and often works with the homeless in the area. She was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2015, but through treatment, Mrs. Ryan believed herself to be cancer free. Unfortunately, around Thanksgiving of 2016, doctors told her the cancer was back. With Mrs. Ryan's twin 8-year-old daughters in mind a close friend began fundraising to help care for Mrs. Ryan's children as she continues her treatment. The community returned the kindness she showed them and raised more than $40,000 for Mrs. Ryan in the first week of collecting donations. It is inspiring to see a community come together to help someone in need, especially someone who has already done so much for the community. Please keep Mrs. Ryan, her daughters, and the generous community of Tybee Island in your thoughts. Remembering Mr. Wilmer Randell Kicklighter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a lifelong public servant, Mr. Stetson Bennett, Jr., of Jesup, Georgia, who passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017, at 87 years old. Mr. Bennett was born in 1929 to Reverend Stetson Bennett, Sr., and Irene Bennett in Wayne County. He graduated from Jesup High School in 1947, before attending Auburn University. Around this time, he also married his wife, Patsy Jones. They were married for more than 69 years. Mr. Bennett first entered public service in 1949, as chief deputy clerk. By 1965, he was elected clerk of superior court and served nearly 50 years. Recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives as the longest serving constitutional officer in Georgia, Mr. Bennett has received a number of honors throughout his career. His dedicated service earned him Clerk of the Year Award in 1985, the highest honor a clerk can receive. Fittingly, the award is now named in honor of Mr. Bennett. Perhaps his proudest achievement was when the citizens of Wayne County officially named the main courtroom the Stetson Bennett, Jr. Courtroom in honor of his years of service to the community he loved. In addition, he served as the president of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, was an active member of the Lions Club, and helped develop Wayne Memorial Hospital as a member of its board. Mr. Bennett was always proud of where he came from, which was clear from how selflessly he dedicated his life to Wayne County. He truly will be missed. Prayers for Leigh Ryan

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NAACP's Savannah branch. In July of 1917, James Weldon Johnson, field secretary of the NAACP, established Georgia's first NAACP branch in Savannah with 68 original members. Similar to other NAACP branches, the Savannah branch pursues political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority groups and citizens. For the last 100 years, Savannah's NAACP branch has fought to eradicate racial hatred and discrimination in the community. Its first meeting of 2017 was held on January 22 at St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church to install new officers and leadership. I am proud to recognize today the branch's new officials, including President Al Scott, Vice Presidents W. Richard Shinhoster, Lynette Hymes, Barbara Magwood, Secretary Linda Carter, and Treasurer Joe Lang. I am confident in this leadership's ability to continue to uphold the values of the NAACP and help Savannah serve as an example to the nearly 75 NAACP branches Georgia has today. Remembering Stetson Bennett, Jr.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Daniel DeLoach of Savannah, Georgia, who passed away on Sunday, January 29, from complications of Proteus disease. He was 30 years old. Mr. DeLoach was born in Savannah to Mike and Julia DeLoach. His parents and his siblings, Michael and Kathleen, were his greatest source of support as he battled his disease. Though his debilitating condition required more than 100 surgeries in his lifetime, Mr. DeLoach wasn't known for his disease; he was known for his zest for life. Mr. DeLoach never regretted having the disease. Instead, he brightened every room he entered and never ceased to have a positive outlook on life. This outlook led him to accomplish some amazing feats while battling the illness. In 2005, he graduated from the Benedictine Military School in Savannah and went on to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he earned a degree in industrial design. With his education and personal experience, it was Mr. DeLoach's goal to improve the care of patients and teach others how to best interact with them. Daniel continues to be an inspiration to all of us who were lucky enough to meet him, and his story bears repeating so it may inspire many others for years to come.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the First Congressional District of Georgia includes all 100 miles of Georgia's coastline and barrier islands. It was on one of these islands that the founder of Georgia, General James Oglethorpe, built a fort in 1736 to protect the new British Colony from the Spaniards. He named the fort and nearby town ``Frederica'' in honor of the Prince of Wales. In 1742, Fort Frederica's strategic location helped the British win a decisive victory against the Spanish in the Battle of Bloody Marsh. After this battle, the Spanish abandoned their attempts to take over the territory, and Georgia was fully secured as a British Colony. Today, Fort Frederica National Monument is a popular destination in Glynn County, featuring portions of the original fort, a museum, and extensive hiking trails. H.R. 494 would allow for a small addition of adjacent land that contains artifacts from prehistoric human settlements. With this addition, visitors will be able to see a more complete story of the history of Georgia--from its earliest human residents, to colonial times, to modern day. I thank the chairman for his consideration of this bill, and I thank the Natural Resources Committee's staff for its efforts. I also thank the entire Georgia delegation for supporting and cosponsoring this legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember Mrs. Emily Hart, who passed away on Monday, January, 23, 2017. She was 82 years of age. Mrs. Hart was born in 1934 to her parents, Emily and Edwin Tribble, in Washington, D.C., where her father worked as an editor of the old Washington Star newspaper for nearly 40 years. She spent her early education in Washington, D.C., before she moved on to Vassar College in New York City, where she studied political science. No matter where she was, Mrs. Hart dedicated her time and energy to bettering the community. In Washington, she was a proud member of the National Cathedral Foundation and the National Preservation Historical Society. In St. Simons, she joined the Coastal Georgia Historical Society; was a devout member of the Christ Church Frederica; and worked with the St. Simons Land Trust, which works to preserve the island's natural beauty and improve the quality of life in the community. Although she was always aiding the community, her greatest joy came from her family, which included her husband--retired U.S. Marine Colonel Nick Hart--her three children, and her seven grandchildren. Her sharp wit, passion for learning, and detailed stories of the past are what will be remembered most dearly. I express my condolences to Mrs. Hart's family for their loss. She will be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Mr. Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr. of Savannah, Georgia, a highly-respected local attorney and community leader. He passed away on January 20 at 80 years of age. Mr. Mahoney graduated from Savannah's Benedictine Military School in 1954 and earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina. In his first career after college, he worked as an FBI Special Agent in Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington. During this time, Mr. Mahoney met the love of his life, Judy, with whom he had four children. After 2 years in the FBI, Mr. Mahoney returned to Savannah and joined the law firm Mahoney & Cole, P.C. Through his hard work and determination, he worked up the ranks to become its president and CEO. He used his legal knowledge to make coastal Georgia a better place to live, serving as the Chatham County attorney, city attorney for Tybee Island, judge for Tybee Island, and assistant city attorney for Savannah. He also served as the special assistant attorney general for the Georgia Ports Authority since 1987, helping it to grow to its current, impressive size. Thank you, Mr. Mahoney, for everything you have done for the Savannah community. You will be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Karla- Sue Marriott, associate professor of chemistry and forensic science at Savannah State University. Dr. Marriott has made groundbreaking chemical discoveries to help millions of people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. Dr. Marriott began her work at Savannah State in 2006, after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Clemson University. In 2010, while at Savannah State, she applied for a grant with the National Institutes of Health, which allowed her to research dopamine and sigma receptors in the brain. It was through this research that Dr. Marriott discovered the chemical compound called benzofuran. Benzofuran has the ability to target and activate signal receptors in the brain, while leaving other central nervous system receptors alone. This has the potential to reduce the impact of various neurological diseases. However, Dr. Marriott's work is not done. She will continue her research to discover the full potential of her compound and the benefits it can provide. I am proud to recognize Dr. Marriott today, and I am thankful for the work she is doing at Savannah State University.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 588, the Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act because it will help to strengthen and reinforce our networks during times of emergency. Representing the entire coast of Georgia, I am no stranger at what a working network means for the coordination of rescue and recovery efforts. Hurricane Matthew made landfall and had a significant impact on multiple States along the Southeastern seaboard, including Georgia. I personally toured many of the hardest-hit areas in my district and I have seen devastation that natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can inflict on areas such as ours. Of course, just this past weekend, Mr. Speaker, we witnessed tornadoes in south Georgia, tornadoes that brought about tremendous devastation and the loss of life. However, our first responders and emergency specialists are there to heed the call and assist in helping people who are most in need. Ranking Member Pallone's legislation would direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a study on network resiliency during times of emergency and distress. Under this bill, the study done by the FCC would be made publicly available on their Web site and would include public safety benefits and the costs of implementing new alternatives that will aid in contacting and coordinating emergency services during those difficult times. I urge my friends and colleagues to support this legislation because I have seen firsthand not only what disasters can do to an area, but the importance of our emergency services in having the networks and communication means to coordinate relief. Strengthening our network resiliency is a benefit to everyone across our great country.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 423, the Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017, because it addresses the issue of call spoofing and the impact that these deceitful callers are having on Americans. Every day, millions of Americans are hit with calls using a fraudulent caller ID profile and with impersonators on the other end of the line. These con artists are able to disguise their real number in an effort to convince unsuspecting victims that they are a representative from a government agency, financial company, healthcare system, or other organizations that may request information to contact someone. An example of a common call is someone saying they are calling from the IRS and are asking for personal information over the phone. This has got to stop. Representatives Meng, Barton, and Lance have again introduced this legislation to prevent these criminals from further victimizing hardworking Americans. We have a real opportunity to combat this growing tactic and protect those in our communities who are the most vulnerable. I applaud the Energy and Commerce Committee for their continued effort to protect Americans from criminal behavior and in updating such important policy measures. Last Congress, this legislation passed the House with an overwhelming vote of 382-5 in support. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 423 because we have an opportunity to fix a growing problem in our country and to cut down on fraud.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 590, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017. This bill would require the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to work together to further the development of advanced nuclear technology. By directing the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enter into a memorandum of understanding, this bill will reduce bureaucratic barriers to advanced nuclear technology research and development. Growing a closer partnership between the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will help to chart an energy independence path for our Nation as we seek new possibilities and alternatives to power our way to a better future. Energy independence is critical to both our national security and to the continued growth of our economy. There has been a considerable amount of research and development that has gone into nuclear energy, and it accounts for 60 percent of the clean energy produced in the United States. This legislation will knock down those walls to innovation and will provide an opportunity to develop advanced reactor designs that could be vital to our energy infrastructure. I applaud my good friend, Mr. Latta, for his leadership on this issue, and the Energy and Commerce Committee for their work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 587, the Fair RATES Act. This bill would amend the Federal Power Act so that those who are adversely affected by inaction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on utility rate changes will have the right to a rehearing. Under current law, a court challenge to a FERC order may only be brought about petitioning the Commission for a rehearing. But if the panel is deadlocked and no order is issued by FERC on a utility rate increase, affected parties cannot bring an action because there was no final order. Meanwhile, the utility rate increase moves forward without the ability of affected parties to be heard. Under the Fair RATES Act, FERC's inaction on a utility's notice of a rate increase within 60 days will be treated as an order accepting the change. Affected parties will then be able to petition for a rehearing on the utility rate change. This bill will ensure that consumers and other affected parties are able to have their concerns heard by Federal regulators. The Fair RATES Act will hold Federal regulators accountable to ensure utility rate increases are reasonable by increasing transparency in the process. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Wiley Anderson Wasden, Jr., from Savannah, Georgia, who passed away on January 18, 2017, just a few days shy of his 80th birthday. Born in Millen, Georgia, to his parents, Wiley Senior and Katherine, Mr. Wasden moved to Savannah after graduating from high school in 1953. He then began studies at the University of Georgia, where he joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and ignited his interest in government. Throughout his life, Mr. Wasden continued this interest in government and used it to make the State of Georgia a better place to live, eventually serving as chairman of the Georgia State Republican Party and as a Georgia State senator. Outside of government, Mr. Wasden worked hard for his community. He was a well-respected local Realtor in Savannah while he also served as chairman of the board for Savannah Country Day School. I am proud today to recognize Mr. Wasden's outstanding life and the positive impact he made on the State of Georgia. He will certainly be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Deb Thompson, who recently retired as general manager of WSAV News Station in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Thompson began working with WSAV in 2005. She moved to Savannah from Dallas, Texas, and started her outstanding career bringing news to our local community as a sales manager for the station. Her dedication and passion for the Savannah community made her a perfect fit for the job, and she quickly moved to general manager of WSAV in 2009. An example of this passion was showcased when she was arrested in March of 2016, as part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Lock-Up event to help combat neuromuscular disease. The money that Ms. Thompson raised for bail helped two local children attend an MDA summer camp that gives children with muscle-debilitating diseases the best week of the year. Ms. Thompson was also instrumental in expanding WSAV's news coverage from 17 hours per week to 30 hours per week and creating a 10 p.m. program reaching a much broader audience. I am proud to recognize her today for all of her hard work and dedication to southeast Georgia. I wish her the best of luck in the future.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of H.R. 288, the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act. In 2015, the FCC adopted burdensome transparency requirements for Internet service providers. The FCC immediately recognized that these new transparency requirements would be particularly burdensome for small Internet service providers, so they provided a temporary exemption for providers with 100,000 or fewer subscribers. Despite overwhelming support to make the exemption permanent, the Commission extended the current exemption for just an additional year. The bill eases the burdens created by the FCC rule by extending the exemption to Internet service providers who have 250,000 subscribers or less and extends the exemption for 5 years. This is commonsense legislation. This bill provides relief and certainty to Internet service providers so they can continue to build networks, deploy broadband, improve connectivity for rural consumers, and create jobs. I commend Chairman Walden for championing this legislation so that we can continue to grow our infrastructure and improve connectivity for rural Americans.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Priscilla Thomas, a commissioner in Chatham County, Georgia, a champion of our area's local youth and a Savannah native. In 1990, Dr. Thomas was first elected to serve as a commissioner in Chatham County. During her tenure, she became chairman pro tem and later the first minority and female vice chairman. However, long before she entered government, Dr. Thomas was already dedicated to creating more opportunities and better lives for young people. She worked as a principal at Haven Elementary School in Savannah after earning her Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of North America. When she was elected to serve as commissioner in 1990, she continued to use her passion for young people to provide entertaining and enlightening activities for them, including the Chatham County Youth Commission and the Summer Bonanza Partnership. On December 16, 2016, Dr. Thomas attended her final county commission meeting and retired from her 26 years as a Chatham County commissioner. She will always be remembered for being one of the toughest, fairest, and most well-informed members of our local government and for her 60 years serving young people. She certainly will be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 302, the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act, and what it means for sports medicine professionals looking to provide comprehensive services to those in need. Congressman Guthrie's legislation, which I have cosponsored, would overhaul the current system that leaves sports medicine professionals and athletic trainers vulnerable to liability issues. Athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals can travel with a team to another State, and by providing care, they are opening themselves up to repercussions. These professionals provide preventive care as well as medical care and advice to athletes in the event of an injury. Currently, insurance companies don't fully cover those professionals who travel with their team or organization to a secondary State. This legislation extends liability insurance coverage to those medical professionals to allow them to safely and fully carry out their responsibilities. They shouldn't have to decide if they can or can't provide care to the same people simply because they happen to be in a different location for a short period of time as part of their job. Within this bill, we can ensure that these professionals with the knowledge and experience to administer care will have the protections needed to safely and properly fulfill their duties. I applaud the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) for his work on this issue and the work of the Energy and Commerce Committee to address these reforms to the sports medicine field, and I urge passage of this important legislation.