June 23, 2020

Dear Friend,

Last week, I returned to Washington, D.C., to work with my colleagues to finalize details for the upcoming FY21 National Defense Authorization Act legislative markup. This week, I am back in Washington, D.C., co-leading the subcommittee markup on military personnel. This piece of legislation is the first step in ensuring that our brave men and women in the armed services have better training and resources to continue protecting our great Nation. Read more about our work to improve the quality of life for our Service Members HERE.

Mississippi Army National Guard

Photos courtesy of the Mississippi
Army National Guard

Mississippi Army National Guard Soldiers always stand at the ready in times of war and peace. These men and women come from all walks of life, but possess a common bond - a desire to serve. I was proud to see one of the most diverse teams of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team sent to Washington, D.C., to respond to the civil unrest and to protect our capital. Great job!

on the radio - addressing the issues

The majority of our men and women in blue carry out their duties with professionalism, fulfilling their sworn commitment to protect and serve. It is important to make sure law enforcement officers who intentionally cause harm can be held accountable.

I support President Trump's Executive Order which calls for improved training, full accountability for the use of excessive force, and the sharing of information about bad actors with other departments. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss a number of issues that are facing America on Supertalk Radio. Please click on the link to listen to the interview.

taking care of our own

COVID-19 has resulted in many changes in Mississippi and across America, but nothing - not even a pandemic, can dampen our spirits. We have all been in this together, taking every opportunity to show appreciation to our friends and neighbors. From the beginning, J. Broussard's Chef Beth Rogers felt that appreciation and saw firsthand an outpouring of support from the Columbus community.

Beth's parents, Joseph and Mary Broussard, opened the restaurant in 2000. After her father passed away in 2006, Beth became the chef, preparing dishes that were inspired by New Orleans creole cuisine.

When COVID-19 arrived, her loyal customers came to the rescue. "Everybody was great, ordering take-out for themselves and others," Beth said. "We have a great group of locals that continue to support us."

Those same devoted customers stepped in once again to donate money to help Beth feed 200 employees at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle. In good times and bad, Mississippians always take care of our own.

vardaman - the sweet potato capital

Most of us grew up eating sweet potato casserole, but it wasn't likely that you would find this dish on a restaurant menu beyond the south. Times have changed! These days, sweet potatoes are in high demand across the United States and well beyond because they are healthy and taste good! According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Mississippi is the third largest producer of sweet potatoes in America.

Through my work on the House Agriculture Committee, I am constantly seeking ways to make sure our sweet potato producers have the support they need to get their crops in and out of the fields. Skilled, seasonal workers, known as H-2As, are critical to the success of their operations.

Alexander Farms, located in Vardaman, grows, packs, and ships sweet potatoes across America. Currently, Alexander Farms has 105 seasonal workers who have begun the planting process which is a hands-on task from start to finish.

"Mississippi sweet potatoes are a unique variety - a standout in the market," Howard Fisackerly, Penick Produce Company Chief Executive Officer, said. "The demand for these potatoes has grown significantly which is why we built climate-controlled storage facilities to process orders year-round."

welcome to rodney hall!

It is my pleasure to introduce Legislative Assistant Rodney Hall! The Jackson native is now a part of our Washington, D.C., team. Rodney is a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard (16 years) and has served the majority of his military career in the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Tupelo. His military service makes him a great addition to our defense policy team - especially as prepare to finalize our work on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021.

Rodney is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. He and his wife, Tierra, are the proud parents of two daughters, Madison and Kennedy Hall. Welcome aboard!

STAY IN TOUCH

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Thanks for reading,

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