Monday, May 1, 2023: When I was growing up in Port Wentworth in West Chatham County, I rode my bike in the Stand Up for America Day Parade that was started in 1971 by then Mayor P. B. Edwards. Mayor Edwards, a decorated war veteran, was permanently wounded during World War II in the Battle of the Bulge and started the parade during this tumultuous time in our country’s history to celebrate our American heritage and honor America’s service men and women. On Saturday morning, I returned to my hometown and, once again, participated in this patriotic event. As a kid riding my bike in this parade, never did I imagine that I would one day ride in the parade as the first United States Congressman to ever come from Port Wentworth. The honor and privilege cannot be put into words.

After the parade, I headed to the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island where I attended the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected Officers and Board of Directors of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). Also present at the ceremony were Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R- Newington) and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Later, I stopped by the 6th Annual Warrior Lift Golf Classic at Southbridge Golf Club sponsored by the American Legion Post 135 on Bull Street in Savannah.

I’m in my Savannah District office this morning as I speak virtually at the Managed Health Care Associates (MHA) Virtual Town Hall meeting and bring them up to date on issues in Washington impacting pharmacy such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into the impact of pharmacy benefit managers' (PBMs) egregious business practices on independent pharmacies.

Next, I have a meeting with representatives from the Navy League of Savannah to hear about their legislative priorities for this session before heading to Savannah Technical College where I am honored to be the guest speaker this week at the downtown rotary club and bring them a legislative update.

Afterwards, I head to Augusta University (AU) and, during the drive, join in on our all-staff conference call. Once in Augusta, I meet with my good friend, President Brooks Keel and other leaders from the university.

Carter meets with representatives from the Navy League of Savannah

Tuesday, May 2, 2023: AU includes the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), which has satellite campuses throughout the state including Savannah in the First District. Recently, l was able to secure a $1 million federal grant to establish the MCG Center for Telehealth to improve health care access for all Georgians, especially those in rural and underserved areas of the state. My visit today begins with a welcome to the university by Dr. Neil MacKinnon, Provost and Executive VP for Academic Affairs and a fellow pharmacist, as he shares with me the vision and mission of this great school of higher education.

Afterwards, I am led on a campus golf cart tour by Government Affairs Director Monty Philpot as we observe this massive complex and the great physical facilities on the Health Science campus. Next, I am led on a tour of the Interdisciplinary Simulation (SIM) Center by Dr. Matt Lyon before being interviewed for a telemedicine video to discuss the MCG Center for Telehealth and how it will connect patient populations throughout the state. Currently, it is being utilized throughout the First District in Chatham, Glynn, Bacon and Appling counties.

After meeting with Dr. Keel again to discuss the center, I join him and other university leaders for a press conference announcing the grant and establishment of the MCG Center for Telehealth. Next, I visit the Georgia Cancer Center at the university where I have an overview of the cancer center and a presentation on the efforts of the university to combat the opioid epidemic.

Afterwards, I head to the Center for Ultrasound Education where the Center for Telehealth is currently located, and Dr. Matt Lyon gives me a tour of the facility including observing medical students delivering telehealth services.

Next, I visit the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center where I have presentations on medical device research and biomedical system engineering followed by a briefing on the Savannah River National Lab. My final tour before I head back to Savannah is at the security operations center of AU, known officially as SIEGE CyberOps, that protects AU and AU Health from cyber threats.

Carter with representatives from Augusta University 

Wednesday, May 3, 2023: After a call this morning with the Assistant Secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Alan Davidson, to preview our upcoming hearing in the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing.

Next, I have a meeting with an incumbent councilmember from the City of Savannah to discuss municipal and federal issues before heading to the Savannah International Trade Center for the prosperity through trade luncheon.

Once back in my Savannah District office, I have a virtual interview with WABL in Albany to discuss the unprecedented growth in our region and the challenges it presents, followed by a virtual interview with Fox 28 in Savannah to discuss the Combating Institutional Child Abuse Act, which I recently sponsored. After heading home to Pooler, I join in on a virtual meeting of the House Budget Committee as we discuss our options pertaining to the FY 24 budget proposal before heading to downtown Savannah for a meeting with Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones.

Carter at Savannah International Trade Center luncheon

Thursday, May 4, 2023: I’m honored this morning to be at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco in Glynn County to speak at their annual Graduates Memorial Day Ceremony to honor those graduates who lost their lives in the line of duty this past year. The original three-paneled memorial, dedicated in May of 1986, had 23 FLETC basic training graduates etched on it. This year, we add 17 names to the existing 309 officers and agents that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. This ceremony, where all 326 names are read aloud, is held annually the week before National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) and is a joint observance between FLETC and its 120+ partner organizations.

Afterwards, I head to Jacksonville where I fly to Atlanta for a meeting tonight with my congressional classmate and good friend, Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). Once at the airport in Atlanta, I speak virtually at the Okefenokee community meeting regarding the work my office has undertaken towards the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) inscription as a World Heritage Site. This is an important effort as the Okefenokee is one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders and the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the eastern U.S. Not only would this build awareness and support to this National treasure, it would also give an economic boost to the surrounding areas.

Carter at FLETC Graduates Memorial Day Ceremony

"Victims of drug-induced homicide and their affected family members are not given the resources and recognition they deserve. I know this because I am one.

Wesley, my son, was a 22-year-old college student in 2007 when he injured his knee playing football with friends. As his mother, I sent him to our family physician for care. This was when our nightmare began. My son was prescribed increasingly higher doses of opioids for the pain, caught in the spiral of greed initiated by Purdue Pharma. Our entire family struggled through his addiction as he valiantly fought his way through half a dozen rehab programs, intensive outpatient programs, halfway houses and Narcotics Anonymous. He finally found success at a faith-based, nine-month rehab program, where he developed his own faith and strength. I was overjoyed to have my kind, thoughtful, beautiful son back as the amazing gentle giant he had grown to be.

On Aug. 19, 2015, when my husband and I found him dead in his home after being sober for two years, I was devastated by the grief...

We can help victims and family members of this epidemic by passing this bill and raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Education can lead to change that can eliminate the stigma no victim should ever feel."

- Kristy Dyroff, author, is a member of the Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation’s board.

Read the full op-ed here.