Representative Trent Kelly

February 10, 2022

Dear Friend,

It is an honor to nominate young people from across Mississippi's First Congressional District to attend one of America's prestigious military academies. These institutions offer an outstanding education while preparing students for a career in the United States Armed Forces. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Dickerson, Jr. Thomas is a graduate of Strayhorn High School, where he achieved great success in the classroom. His extracurricular activities include football, baseball, soccer, Beta Club, 4-H Club, and serving as a delegate for Mississippi Boys State.

Thomas said he is eager to serve our great Nation. "I have always had the desire to serve my country in the U.S. Military. After speaking to many different people and doing my own research, I decided that the best place to fulfill that desire is the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The education is top-notch, and the leadership development is among the best in the world. After graduation, I hope to commission into either the Aviation of Armor Branch of the U.S. Army."

For more information about Service Academy nominations, please click on the link.

honoring veteran perry thompson

On February 25, 2022, Perry Thompson will celebrate his 94th birthday! The Orlando, Florida, native was one of ten children! I am also pleased to recognize his service in the U.S. Army, which began in May 1953. Eight years after the end of World War II, Mr. Thompson was sent to Germany where he remembers the flight over the city. "I saw bomb craters that were filled in and noticed the streets of Frankfurt had been cleared," Mr. Thompson said. While in the service, he was trained to maintain helicopters. As a Crew Chief, he was responsible for helicopters used by top military officials for various missions.

After spending two winters in Germany, Mr. Thompson returned to the United States and enrolled in college. Aviation would become his lifelong passion, providing him with numerous opportunities to work as a draftsman and design engineer for such companies as Piasecki Helicopter, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas.

In January 1965, Mr. Thompson met his future wife, Jewell. She was working in the K-Mart pet department, where she sold him a fish aquarium! Two months later, they were married. After a long and successful career, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson eventually settled in Southaven, Mississippi, to be closer to their family. The Thompsons are a wonderful family who love our great Nation! Combine Mr. Thompson's great stories with Jewell's good coffee and peanut brittle, and you are all set for a memorable afternoon.

committee action

Recently, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to discuss initiatives for the 2023 Farm Bill. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Subcommittee on Forestry and Conservation, it has and continues to be a top priority to make sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely to ensure a sustainable food supply for all Americans now and in future. Careful consideration and thorough oversight of the programs offered through the 2018 Farm Bill will further enable us to formulate the next Farm Bill.

Historically, this legislation has been successful because it has come together in a bipartisan spirit which is key to ensuring that all programs offer meaningful assistance to the farmers and ranchers who need them most. I will continue to make the Conservation Stewardship Program a priority and push for other conservation programs that will benefit our farmers and the great State of Mississippi. Please click on the link to watch the full hearing titled "A 2022 Review of Farm Bill Conservation Programs."

welcome to spring intern alexis littrell!

I am pleased to welcome spring intern Alexis Littrell to our Washington, D.C., office! The Tupelo native recently graduated from Mississippi College in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Alexis said she was eager to participate in our internship program to learn more about the legislative process and to work with members of Team Kelly. "It is an honor to work on Capitol Hill," Alexis said. "I am anxious to see what the future holds!" To learn more about serving as an intern in either Washington, D.C., or in Mississippi's First Congressional District, please click on the link.

2022 congressional art contest

We are looking forward to showcasing artwork from all the talented young people who wish to compete in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition! There will be one overall winner and 2nd - 6th place winners. For more information about the competition, please click HERE.