Buddy Carter

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. 315, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act. Our Nation is facing a critical shortage of maternity healthcare services and professionals. Many Americans in rural or medically underserved areas have little to no access to maternity care services, either due to geographical constraints or a shortage of healthcare providers. This bill would encourage physicians and other healthcare professionals to serve in rural and underserved communities by creating a maternity care designation in the National Health Service Corps. The National Health Service Corps provides up to $50,000 in student loan repayments for healthcare professionals who commit to providing care in health profession shortage areas for a minimum of 2 years. The program has already made great progress in increasing access and reducing provider shortages in dental care, mental health, and primary care. Maternity health professionals can and do already serve in the National Health Service Corps, but they are placed in the same manner as primary care providers. This bill would create a separate designation for maternity care providers, ensuring that maternity health needs are more efficiently addressed in underserved communities that need them the most. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1192, the National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act, which establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the national diabetes clinical care commission. The commission will look into dissemination of information and resources to clinicians on best practices for delivering high-quality care and how best to effectively deploy new and emerging treatments and technologies. As a pharmacist, I play an important role in diabetes care by screening patients who had a high risk for diabetes and educating patients to empower them to take better care of themselves. I believe all of my colleagues would agree that making government work to help evaluate and recommend solutions regarding diabetes is important. The American Diabetes Association reports that there are almost 30 million people living with this disease. With better coordination and leveraging of Federal programs that relate to clinical care for people with diabetes and chronic diseases and conditions caused by diabetes, we will begin to stem the tide of this awful disease. This legislation should be a priority for our country, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. ``The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.''

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 72, the GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017. The GAO is one of the most important tools taxpayers and Congress have to keep the Federal Government accountable. Without complete information, GAO is limited in their ability to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. This bill clarifies that GAO has access to data, such as the National Directory of New Hires, which will better equip GAO to audit key Federal programs on behalf of taxpayers. Every day, GAO handles the government's most sensitive information in a responsible manner, and GAO provides trusted recommendations for improving the Federal Government's operations. The Federal Government reported $137 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2015, the largest ever reported. Total improper payments for the Federal Government over the past 10 years exceeds $1 trillion. This bill will increase the effectiveness of GAO to help reduce improper payments, dollars that could be used to better fund the programs that ultimately serve the people. This bill takes an important step forward by providing GAO with an additional tool to ensure GAO's effectiveness in preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jimmy Burnsed, who has served as chairman of the Bryan County Board of Commissioners for the past 12 years. On December 31, 2016, he officially retired from serving on the board. Beyond serving as chairman, Mr. Burnsed has dedicated an admirable amount of his life to public service. Nearly 40 years ago, he began serving on the City Council for Garden City, Georgia, before serving 4 years as mayor. In 1989, he moved from Garden City to Bryan County. In 2005, he ran and was elected chairman of the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Burnsed's accomplishments on the board since that time are numerous. He worked to build a new administrative building for the county to hold meetings and other events; he managed and planned the infrastructure for Bryan County, which has grown more than 50 percent in size during his tenure; and he helped to upgrade Bryan County's trails, parks, and recreation centers. Mr. Burnsed always put the community first and performed his duties in a way that would make any constituent very proud. Jimmy Burnsed, you will be greatly missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lieutenant John Cain of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, who passed away on Sunday, December 4, after a hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer. Lieutenant Cain dedicated 27 years of his life to Savannah's police department, and most recently worked in the Southside Precinct. There, he was honored as the precinct's Supervisor of the Year for 2015. Because of his dedication, and all of his outstanding accomplishments for the police department, he was promoted to lieutenant in November before officially retiring. Amongst all of his efforts to help the Savannah community, one clearly stands out in many people's minds. In 2015, Savannah newspapers published a photo of Lieutenant Cain helping a marathon runner, who had fallen about 200 yards from the finish line at the Rock `n' Roll Marathon. Lieutenant Cain rushed to his side and helped him to cross the finish line. The runner was participating in the race in honor of his father, who had recently passed away of cancer, and desperately wanted to finish for him. The runner said: ``Lieutenant Cain meant a lot to me, and not just for helping me then. He was inspiring. He was a hero to me.'' Lieutenant John Cain was inspiring to us all, and I urge everyone to learn from his great life.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Charles Stanley Dubberley, Sr. who passed away on November 27th at the age of 82. Mr. Dubberley was raised on a farm in Alabama, with his parents and two siblings, Ben and Beth. When he was 22 years old, he married Judith Russell. Together, they raised five children, and passed on the hardworking, small town values they learned from their parents. Mr. Dubberley demonstrated these values in his commitment to civil service. Beginning in 1955, he dedicated 37 years of his life to the United States Postal Service. He moved up the ranks in the Postal Service until his hard work landed him the important position of Postmaster of Savannah. Further, Mr. Dubberley served as the Chairman of Savannah's Postal Credit Union. I am proud to recognize Mr. Dubberley's life today and his dediction to our community. He will certainly be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Tybee Island Veterans Circle of Freedom Memorial Monument. This monument is a tribute to all branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, and Coast Guard. It was built for all veterans that have previously served in the United States Armed Forces as well as those currently serving. The Veterans Circle of Freedom Memorial Monument took several years to complete, with a committee dedicated to this project beginning their work in October 2006. Tybee Island donated a piece of property in Memorial Park, and the groundbreaking was done two years later, on December 7, 2009. I am proud to represent a district whose citizens came together to build this memorial monument. Generous donations poured in from community members, fundraisers, and even brick sales. This speaks to the proud military tradition present on Tybee Island, and Georgia's First Congressional District, more broadly. The monument is a beautiful tribute to our servicemen, and I thank the city of Tybee Island for making it happen.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Glover Manning's 100th birthday on November 6, 2016 and to share his amazing story. Born in 1916, Mr. Manning began serving his country in the U.S. Navy at the age of 19. During one of the most infamous days in American history, the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Manning was aboard the USS Rigel. Mr. Manning and his vessel then went on to play an important role in many operations in the Pacific. After 20 years serving his country in the Navy, he retired and subsequently moved to Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Manning has 4 children, 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. Mr. Manning, thank you for your service to our country and I hope you have a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 932, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to third-party charges on consumer telephone bills. This legislation resolves that it is the sense of the House that protections against cramming, which is the act of placing unauthorized charges on a telephone bill, should be improved. It is an effort to bring to light the form of fraud called cramming and its effect on consumers' bills. Many of our Nation's major telecommunications providers have recognized this issue and have made strides in increasing protections for consumers. By passing this resolution, we are taking one step closer to protecting consumers from fraudulent activities and ensuring that those who are vulnerable in our society are no longer susceptible to scammers. We must continue to address these cases of fraud head on, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this issue and others. I applaud the Energy and Commerce Committee for their work on this important legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution, which would express the sense of the House of Representatives that students everywhere should have access to digital tools that will help to further their education in the 21st century economy. This resolution expresses the sense of the House that the United States should be leading the world in proving the digital tools necessary to succeed and create new opportunities. Nearly 5 million households in the United States do not have high- speed internet, meaning those households don't have access to an increasingly important aspect of a modern education. By increasing access to millions of children around the country, we take a step forward in promoting a 21st century education. This would also improve the global competitiveness of the United States as countries around the world increasingly promote broadband access in their educational systems. I look forward to working with my colleagues to expand possibilities for children and to create an environment in which we can incentivize growth and new opportunities. I thank the Energy and Commerce Committee and Congressman Welch for their hard work and diligence on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6394, the Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016. The First District of Georgia is blessed to be home to four of our military's fantastic installations and more importantly, to the great men and women who choose to serve our country. Our military's greatest strength is found in those individuals who have chosen to defend our freedoms and our values. Those veterans bring a wealth of information and experience to the civilian sector that benefits innovation and those who are exposed to it. This bill requires the FCC to submit to Congress a report on the promotion of broadband access for veterans with a focus on low-income veterans and those living in rural areas. By ensuring those veterans have access to high-speed broadband, that determination and hard-working spirit found in so many veterans that I've met can be fostered and grown. I want to thank Congressman McNerney, Congressman Kinzinger and the rest of the Energy and Commerce Committee for their hard work on such an important issue for the growth of our veteran community. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2873, Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act, which would increase access to health care services in rural areas. This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to study the Project ECHO model, which launched a revolutionary long distance health care model that uses videoconferencing for collaboration and case-learning. The Project ECHO model has proven to be successful in bringing much needed health care to some of our nation's most remote regions. By taking study of this model to the national level, we have the opportunity to fully harness emerging technologies to transform the way health care is practiced. As a life long health care professional from a district with rural and underserved areas, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to provide access to high quality health care to these areas. Connecting primary care providers with specialists through video streaming helps bridge the gap in both distance and access, reducing travel and costs for both patient and provider alike. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that we can continue working to provide specialty care to all Americans across the nation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3381, the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, which would allow the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services to expand their efforts to research treatments and care for childhood cancer patients. Each year, thousands of children are diagnosed with cancer, and far too many children are lost to this horrible disease. Childhood cancer survivors and their families still face an uphill battle after remission, as the chances for recurrence can be higher for children. Advances in treatment have greatly improved outcomes, but more must be done to support patients, survivors, and their families. The bill would help expand efforts to improve the lives of childhood cancer survivors, develop new treatments, increase access to care, and accelerate lifesaving research for those impacted by childhood cancer. Childhood cancer patients and survivors have unique needs, and this bill will ensure that those needs are addressed through continued child-focused research. We must continue the fight until no child is lost to cancer. I urge my colleagues to support childhood cancer patients, survivors, and families by supporting the Childhood Cancer STAR Act.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6375, the Power and Security Systems Act. This bill directs the Department of Energy to decide by 2021 whether to amend standards for certain external power supply products, and directs that these standards would not apply to products manufactured before 2023. External power supplies convert power from an outlet to a lower voltage for use in everyday items like cell phones, laptops, power tools, and other electronics. The average home has 5 to 10 external power supplies, and that number continues to grow with more than 300 million shipped in the United States annually. The PASS Act would also allow for the Department of Energy to classify external power supplies connected to security or safety systems differently than other types. By design, external power supplies associated with a safety or security device are always in an active mode and simply do not have a no-load or inactive mode, which is why the distinction is needed. This bill provides necessary regulatory relief while the Department of Energy develops standards for these products. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 756, the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2015. Efficient use of energy can help reduce consumption, lower energy bills, and may also help the environment as well. The benefits of energy efficiency can extend to our homes, businesses, and public institutions, including schools. There is a multitude of programs and finance mechanisms available for schools to use to further their energy efficiency goals. However, information on these resources is hard to find; and, as a result, schools may be missing out on opportunities to make their facilities more energy efficient. H.R. 756 would direct the Department of Energy to create a clearinghouse in order to disseminate information on energy efficiency programs and grants for schools. This bill would also help facilitate coordination between Federal agencies so that they may develop a collaborative effort to help schools meet their energy efficiency needs. I urge my colleagues to support our schools in their efforts to become more energy efficient by supporting H.R. 756.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division and its 99 years of service to the United States Armed Forces. The 3rd ID has been located in coastal Georgia for the past 20 years; yet its amazing history dates back to 1917. During World War I, the 3rd Infantry Division earned the name ``Rock of the Marne'' by pushing the Germans back across the Marne River and stopping their march to occupy the important allied city of Paris. The 3rd ID continued to fight the Germans at the Marne even as other units retreated. In 1943, during World War II, the 3rd ID was one of the few divisions to fight the Axis Powers on all European fronts. They fought in north Africa, Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. The 3rd ID even liberated half of French Morocco from the Nazi influence. Since the World Wars, the 3rd ID has continued to support America's safety and freedom by fighting bravely in the Vietnam war, the Korean war, Operation Desert Storm, and the global war on terrorism. Thank you to the 3rd ID for your courage, your sacrifice, and your commitment to our national security.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Don Logana, a longtime reporter in the Savannah community, who passed away on Sunday, November 20. Mr. Logana joined the local Savannah news station, WTOC, in 2004, and quickly became an integral part of the Savannah news scene and a familiar face in our homes. His career began in Syracuse, New York, as an intern, but his talent for finding a story and bringing a unique point of view allowed him to quickly rise up the ranks. When he moved to Savannah, he became the weekday morning anchor for WTOC's ``The News at Daybreak'' and an investigative reporter who exposed consumer issues. A testament to his talent, Mr. Logana received multiple awards and was honored throughout his career, with the most recent being for the Best Local TV News Anchor 2016 by Connect Savannah. In addition to his news accomplishments, Mr. Logana had a heart of gold and was constantly involved in the community. In 2011, he competed in ``Dancing with Savannah Stars,'' raising the most money for abused and neglected children. Mr. Logana's colleagues describe him as a trusted friend to all and someone whose bright, loving personality will be deeply missed. Mr. Logana's loss is felt by the whole Savannah community. I encourage everyone to keep the Logana family and WTOC Savannah in their thoughts and prayers. 3rd Infantry Division's 99 Years of Service

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Master Firefighter Michael Curry, who passed away in the line of duty on Saturday, November 19, in Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Curry's work as a firefighter allowed him to do what he loved most--help people. On his last alarm as a firefighter, he rescued seven people from the Savannah River after a ferry boarding platform collapsed. His 13 years of dedication to the Savannah community and the fire department shows in his numerous volunteer activities. He worked as an emergency medical responder, disaster search and rescue technician, swift water rescue technician, advanced rescue diver, and was involved in groups, including the Alee Temple, the Georgia Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and was the cub master for pack number 4102. Mr. Michael Curry is a true hero, who died in service to our community running toward an emergency while others sought out safety. I am heartbroken by this loss. Our community is heartbroken by this loss. I encourage everyone to keep the Curry family and first responders everywhere in your thoughts and prayers. Recognizing Don Logana

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act. This long-awaited legislation promotes medical innovation by streamlining the discovery, development, and delivery of critical medicines. This bill also helps reform our Nation's deteriorating mental health system to ensure that millions of Americans receive the care they need. Such reforms include the reduction of regulatory red tape that slows prescription drugs' entry to the market, the breaking down of barriers that restrict data sharing, and expediting the review of potentially breakthrough devices. While some may believe that the resources needed to develop new cures or new devices are too costly and time consuming, the potential savings to the broader healthcare system will be significant. By modernizing the governance surrounding the development of new medicines and treatment, we ensure that the lives of millions--not only here in the U.S., but across the world--will improve. I want to thank Chairman Upton and Chairman Murphy for their unrelenting determination to bring this negotiated piece of legislation to the floor for a vote. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 34.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. John Rutledge, who passed away on September 11, 2016, at the age of 96. Mr. Rutledge's life has been quite extraordinary as he has been on hand for some incredible events in our Nation's history. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Rutledge was aboard the USS California during the attack on Pearl Harbor, narrowly escaping with his life. The next year, he was at the Battle of Midway in the Pacific Ocean, covering the battle as a photographer and filming the burning of Japanese ships. Mr. Rutledge continued his service to our Nation long after his time with the military and fighting in World War II. For the next 20 years, he taught science classes at Pensacola High School. I am proud to honor someone who dedicated so much of his life to the betterment of our Nation. Mr. Rutledge, you will be greatly missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for your thoughts and prayers for Mr. Winston Hencely. Mr. Hencely was injured in the suicide attack on Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan on November 12. Four brave Americans were killed in the attack and Mr. Hencely was one of 16 soldiers who were injured. He was immediately transported to Germany for treatment and surgery, but is currently in critical condition. This attack is a sobering reminder of the harsh reality that our soldiers must endure during their deployment. I encourage everyone to keep our Nation's soldiers in their thoughts and, especially, Mr. Winston Hencely during his time of need. Mr. Hencely, thank you for your service to our country, and we will be with you every step of the way. Recognizing John Rutledge

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Doyle Kelley from Savannah, Georgia, who passed away on September 30. Mr. Kelley, known throughout the Savannah community as Coach Kelley, dedicated his life to teaching and mentoring students. After graduating from Armstrong State University in 1969, Coach Kelley started coaching Jenkins High School's basketball team, sparking his commitment to students. Coach Kelley's passion shows not only in his incredible success on the court, but also the notorious testimonials from students about how he changed their lives for the better. After he moved to coach basketball at Savannah Christian Preparatory School, he had 427 victories in basketball, along with 18 State championships in three sports, but the number of students he positively impacted is far greater. After his successful years in the sport, Coach Kelley served as the high school principal for 14 years at Savannah Christian until his retirement. His caring and compassionate nature was seen by everyone in the community, from friends, colleagues, students, and certainly family members. Coach Kelley's presence in the community will be deeply missed and felt by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Honoring Winston Hencely

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my lifelong friend, Representative Ron Stephens from Savannah, Georgia, for being awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Armstrong State University. Chairman Stephens represents the 164th District in the Georgia General Assembly. During his time in the legislature, he has done a remarkable job representing his constituents. Currently, he is the chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and a member of the Appropriations, Rules, and Ways and Means Committees, allowing him to advocate important issues for his constituency. In addition, Governor Nathan Deal appointed Mr. Stephens to the Georgia Tourism Foundation. Before his time in the Georgia General Assembly, Chairman Stephens was already working for the betterment of his community. He began his career in pharmacy and served the medical needs of others for 37 years. Thereafter, he served as a councilman in Garden City, Georgia. I am proud of my lifelong friend for his work, and I am overjoyed that he is receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Armstrong State University. Recognizing Coach Doyle Kelley

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Davis Love III for his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Mr. Love's impressive golf career spans over four different decades. He has won 21 times on the PGA Tour, including one major championship at the PGA Championship in 1997, two victories at the Players Championship in 1992 and 2003, and five victories at the Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Further, his outstanding performances gained him a selection to six U.S. Ryder Cup teams--twice as captain. Although Mr. Love is known nationally for his professional wins, he is also known in the First Congressional District of Georgia for his strong sense of community. Referred to as ``Uncle Davis'' by locals, Mr. Love stays active in the St. Simons community. When Hurricane Matthew hit, he spent time clearing away tree limbs and providing food to emergency workers. Certainly, he is respected both nationally and locally. I am proud to rise today to recognize his great achievements and Mr. Love's induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.