November 15, 2019

Dear Friend,

On November 11, ceremonies were held in Mississippi and across our great nation to honor all those who have proudly worn the uniform. For these men and women, service, sacrifice, and integrity are not mere words. In times of war and peace, service to our great nation has always come with a price. In the name of freedom, many have paid the ultimate sacrifice and did so willingly to preserve our way of life. Sacrifices are also made beyond the battlefield. Our Servicemembers have been away from home when family members passed away and children have been born. They have missed anniversaries and holidays to fulfill their duties - a steadfast commitment we must always respect and remember.

Renasant Bank Veterans Day ceremony:
Donald Pate, William Threlkeld, George and
Sandy Boguardus, and Ann Stanford, Vice President,
Renasant Bank

This week, it was an honor to participate in Veterans Day ceremonies held throughout the First District. To see World War II veterans who are still with us is awe-inspiring. Think what it must have been like for them in those days. Young men left the only life they knew, leaving family and friends to fight in distant lands that no one had every heard of. Many women served as nurses, caring for the sick and injured at home and overseas. Others entered the workforce, building ships and planes to support the war on the home front. We call these men and women the "greatest generation" for a reason.

Guntown Middle School Veterans Day ceremony: Vietnam
Veteran Dwayne Ruth, Sr. and WWII Veteran Earl Brown

While we recognize and celebrate our World War II veterans, let us also remember all those who followed in their footsteps, fighting the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and those who remain at the ready in the Middle East - America's longest war to date.

Oxford National Guard Armory Veterans Day ceremony:
WWII Veteran Dr. Will St. Amand and Vietnam Veteran
Chester Starks

As your Representative and member of the House Armed Services Committee, it is my privilege to meet with the brave and courageous in uniform stationed at U.S. Military Installations. During each ceremony, I wanted all those in attendance to know that we are being protected at this hour by the next generation of warriors. These young men and women make up just one percent of the population who are in the armed forces. They are just as patriotic as all those who have served before them and are ready to fight for our freedoms at a moment's call. As we enter the holiday season, remember them. Take every opportunity to offer the hand of friendship and thank them for their service.

actions in the house

Verification Alignment and Service-Disabled Business Adjustment Act

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed my legislation, H.R. 1615, the Verification Alignment and Service-disabled Business Adjustment (VA-SBA) Act. This common-sense legislation transfers the verification of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses from Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Small Business Administration (SBA). This will unify the two programs and prevent fraud and abuse of the system while also protecting our veterans and their businesses. The VA-SBA Act marks the next significant step towards streamlining the two programs under one umbrella at the Small Business Administration and reduces red tape and confusion for veteran small business owners who wish to do business with the federal government. To watch my remarks on the House Floor about this important legislation, please click on the link.

Absolute Power Solutions - Columbus

In 1997, Mike Williams enlisted in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, also known as the Navy Seabees. His experience as an electrician would lead him to seek training as a construction electrician. Over the course of his distinguished 23-year military career, his skills would serve the Navy well on the home front and during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, the training Mike received was invaluable in his chosen profession as an electrician in the civilian world. Electrical work has always been his passion, but his entrepreneurial spirit guided him to the next level.

Earlier this year, Mike decided to open a new business, specializing in the backup generator market. As a service-disabled veteran, he applied to become a certified Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Mike said the certification process was extremely difficult, but he stayed the course in hopes of securing federal government contracts. After a long and arduous process, Mike became a certified SDVOSB.

"I am excited to learn about the passage of Congressman Kelly's VA-SBA Act," Mike said. "I believe that streamlining the process will encourage more service-disabled veterans who were injured in the line of duty to get certified and pursue their dream to open a business."

Mike is among the nearly 2.5 million veteran-owned small business owners who employ some 5 million people across America. That number is expected to grow significantly as we open more doors for our veteran entrepreneurs.

featuring our first district farmers

Bill and Bob Shumpert are celebrating a milestone for the family farming operation - their 50th crop! These Lee County farmers have worked side by side for most of their lives, raising corn, soybeans, cotton, and peanuts. Bill is one of three children who grew up in the Richmond community, where generations of this family have depended on the soil for sustenance and survival.

"Farming is so different now," Bill said. "When I started out, we didn't have chemicals to take care of the weeds. All we had was a plow. Not only has modern technology made our operation more efficient, it also makes it possible for us to keep farming as long as our health holds up."

We want all of our farmers in the First District and across America to continue this long-standing tradition which provides for their families and puts food on our table. Enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill was a victory for Mississippi's farmers and the agriculture industry. Our next goal is to significantly expand the trading relationship with Canada and Mexico through passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Currently, Mississippi's economy benefits from the $3.2 billion in exports to these countries, a figure that would grow with freer and fairer trade practices.

a week in pictures

University of Mississippi's Military Appreciation Day
with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker

Guntown Middle School student Madeline Long

Bill Goldmon (Louisville)

Dr. Mark Keenum's leadership class

Regina and Gary Ruckle (Olive Branch)

Red Wright, CEO, Navistar Defense and Meg Kulungowski,
Vice President, Government Relations, Navistar Defense

Mike Tate, Chairman, National Cotton Council and Gary Adams,
President and CEO, NCC

Katie McMillan (Mooreville) and Chapman Bryant

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

STAY IN TOUCH

Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress