October 28, 2016

Dear Friend,

Mississippi is a rural state where generations of families have made their living on the farm. Their way of life is not an easy one, but our farmers persevere. It is their devotion to the cultivation of 10.9 million acres which makes Agriculture the leading industry in our great state contributing $7.4 billion to the economy.

David and Lynn Fisher are among the more than 37,000 farm operators in Mississippi who possess a determined spirit to help feed and clothe our great nation and the world.

David is a fourth generation farmer with 3,400 acres of land in the Strong community in Monroe County. He started his operation in 1980 and married Lynn four years later. His "Yankee" wife, as he calls her, enjoys cooking for their employees every day. They love life on the farm and are always eager to share their story and a seat at the table with others.

Over the years, the Fishers have increased their variety of crops to include corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton. They also raise cattle. David knows how to work the soil, but he says the government sometimes gets in the way with increasing rules and regulations.

"The government way is not always the correct way to do it," David said. "But their rules and regulations say it is."

Fisher Farms cotton harvest

David and Lynn feel like many farmers in the First District and well beyond. They want to have a voice on Capitol Hill to find relief from burdensome rules and regulations. It is our responsibility to make sure their needs are met. Through my role on the House Agriculture Committee, I will continue to work to make sure our farmers have the support they need to take care of their families.

how can we assist you?

Melinda Whited

Mississippians take care of their own. When there's a natural disaster like a tornado, we are the first to reach out to our neighbors with a helping hand. If someone loses their home to fire, It's a big deal. We offer shelter, clothing and food. It is in our nature to take care of others even when we have pressing needs of our own. Talking about our concerns isn't always easy. That's when our team can help. We are here to listen and to assist you.

Melinda Whited is a field representative who is ready to listen to you in Itawamba, Alcorn, Tishomingo and Prentiss Counties. Melinda works to simplify the assistance process by acting as a liaison between constituents and law enforcement. She remains in close contact with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

Melinda, a Tishomingo County native, says she loves to meet new people and genuinely enjoys helping others.

"Helping others has always been close to my heart," Melinda said. "Working for Congressman Trent Kelly allows me to do that. I may not have an immediate answer, but I will work diligently to find one or someone who can. Sometimes a listening ear is all that is needed."

It is important to Melinda and our other team members to earn your trust. We want to be a familiar face in your community and be there when you need assistance.

California national guard bonuses

This week, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that the Department of Defense is halting collections of California National Guard bonuses. Our military members who re-enlisted to serve our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan should not be held accountable for the Department of Defense's mistakes.

It is important to find out where mistakes were made, but not at the expense of our soldiers who served our great nation. In the effort to look out for their best interests and that of America, the House National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus has written a letter to the Secretary of Defense calling for the DoD to waive the recoupment of bonuses in cases where the service member fulfilled their contract.

I have joined more than 200 of my colleagues in signing the letter. We want to make sure that service members who received bonus payments to re-enlist in good faith should not be forced to pay them back. It's simply not their fault.

Click here to read the letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

celebrating 50 years of legal services

It was 50 years ago when North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Inc. was launched to provide free, high quality legal services to low income Mississippians. The Quest for Justice Awards Gala, held in Tupelo, celebrated its contributions to our great state.

Attorneys for North Mississippi Rural Legal Services provide a wide range of counsel in 39 counties across north Mississippi. Their cases are as diverse as the people they serve. Attorneys have built cases to preserve civil rights, protect vulnerable children, and defend the elderly.

U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional Record Insert
celebrating
50 years

I was humbled to sponsor a United States House of Representatives Congressional Record Insert commemorating the 50th anniversary of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Inc. This is a tribute to the committed leadership in Executive Director Ben Thomas Cole II and Director of Litigation Ruby White. Their attorneys work tirelessly to ensure that the ability of citizens to exercise their rights under law is not contingent on their ability to navigate the legal system on their own.

a week in pictures

For more photos from the district work week, please visit my Facebook page.

MS Center for Public Policy Meeting

Alabama friend and Representative
Gary Palmer speaks during MS Center for
Public Policy Meeting

Commissioner of Agriculture and
Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith at the Mississippi
Economic Council's 15th Annual Hobnob
Mississippi in Jackson

Saltillo Elementary School Career Fair

Saltillo Elementary School student Alex Camacho

Saltillo Elementary Student
Mary Carrson Sandlin

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services Executive
Director Ben Cole II, Legal Services
Representative Cherri Green, Former
Executive Director Wilhelm Joseph

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services Gala
attendees Joan Walker, Randolph Walker and
Lillie Cox

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