Loeffler Tours Southwest Georgia
Visits Fort Benning, Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Georgia Agribusiness in Moultrie
MOULTRIE, GA – U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) today toured Fort Benning, Colquitt Regional Medical Center and Farmers Gin & Peanut Co. to hear about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and about the damage to property and crops from tornados that recently went through Southwest Georgia.
Loeffler joined Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and Major General Gary Brito on a visit to Fort Benning to observe how the installation is preventing the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to train soldiers. Last week, Loeffler joined six senators in asking U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to keep Congress informed on the impact of COVID-19 on military readiness.
On her visit to Fort Benning, Loeffler said, “Fort Benning plays a crucial role in maintaining our military readiness and training the next generation of soldiers. While much of the world is fighting a common enemy – the coronavirus – the United States must remain vigilant to external threats. I was glad to be back at Fort Benning to hear how they will continue the important work of ensuring military readiness in a safe and effective way.”
At Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Loeffler met with CEO Jim Matney, Moultrie Mayor Bill McIntosh, Colquitt County Commissioner Johnny Hardin, Colquitt County Administrator Chas Cannon, state Representative Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) and hospital staff to hear about their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tornado that touched down near the hospital last Thursday.
On her visit to Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Loeffler said, “Colquitt Regional Medical Center has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Recovery and Economic Stability – CARES – Act Congress passed last month provided $100 billion to help hospitals fight COVID-19, and last week we approved an additional $75 billion. I got to see firsthand today the incredible dedication of our medical professionals at Colquitt and appreciated hearing from hospital leaders about how I can best support their work and ensure they’re able to continue serving their community during these unprecedented times.”
Loeffler then toured tornado damage at Farmers Gin & Peanut Co., a family owned business serving cotton and peanut farmers. She also heard an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the agriculture industry from Jon Ladson, owner of Farmers Gin & Peanut, state Representative Watson, County Commissioner Hardin, County Administrator Cannon and farmer Russ Goodman.
On her visit to Farmers Gin & Peanut, Loeffler said, “I grew up on my family’s farm and know firsthand the challenges our farmers face. In recent weeks, the coronavirus and tornados have only intensified those challenges in Southwest Georgia. Some blueberry farmers lost 70 percent of their crops due to storm damage and farmers and ranchers throughout Georgia have seen a steep drop in prices because of COVID-19. The CARES Act provided nearly $24 billion for agriculture producers, but I will continue to do everything I can to support our farmers and ensure Americans have access to plenty of healthy food.”
