We have an obligation to make sure America's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are well-equipped and prepared to defend America.  

Recently, my colleagues and I discussed America's military state of readiness during a joint hearing of the House Armed Services Subcommittees on Readiness and the Seapower and Projection Forces titled, "Mobility and Transportation Command Posture."  The commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), and the administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), offered testimony about how well the Department of Defense (DoD), is prepared to respond to the logistical demands of a major conflict.  To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.

general atomics electromagnetic systems

Mississippi's defense manufacturers provide high quality and cost effective goods and services to the Department of Defense (DoD).  Many of the products they manufacture help to protect our nation.  General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, located in Shannon, manufactures the aircraft launch and recovery system for the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier.  Last week, General Atomics announced their plans to expand for a tenth time in 13 years.  The $20 million expansion will enable the company to meet a growing demand for airborne, maritime, and land military lasers.  State and local officials gathered with company leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony.  General Atomics currently employs 256 hardworking Mississippians.  The expansion will create 48 jobs.

tax reform in the district

Brian Hill, owner of Lifestyle Communities, will soon launch one of the most ambitious development projects in the history of DeSoto County.  The $200 million project will be located on 228 acres in Southaven.  Silo Square will include unique commercial properties and hundreds of homes.  For the first time, Southaven will have a town square which will be located within the development.  Brian said the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which became law in December 2017, is going to have a profound impact on his business.  The new tax law reduces the tax on business profits by 20 percent.  Brian said the money that he saves will enable he and other developers to pursue additional projects, including the development of commercial properties.  "For every 10,000 square feet of new commercial development, between 20-25 jobs are created," Brian said.  "I am not talking about construction jobs.  These are full-time jobs that are created after the building is completed and occupied."                                                Danny Williams, founder of Williams, Pitts, and Beard, a Hernando-based CPA firm, said they have had an explosion of new clients.  He credits the new tax law for the increase in business.  Danny added two employees to his staff to handle the new clients - many of whom are small business owners.  Danny said the tax savings for business owners will enable them to re-invest in their operations.  "Think about what a 20 percent reduction in taxes will mean for the economy," Danny said.  "When they invest in their operations, that is money that goes back into the economy.  This is a tremendous opportunity for Mississippi and America." To learn more about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and how it will benefit you, visit fairandsimple.gov.

congressional app challenge winners

Congratulations to Roper Stoots and Deshawn Rush!  The Louisvile High School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) students are the 2017 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) First Congressional District winners.  They are among more than 4,000 students from across the nation who entered the competition.  The goal of the competition is to encourage students to become more engaged in STEM, coding, and computer science courses. Kristi Jernigan, the Louisville High School STEM teacher, said everyone in the class was able to choose a topic for their project.  While working in teams of two, the students were instructed to write code for their app.  Roper and Deshawn chose to write code for an app to highlight the Louisville Police Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education or D.A.R.E. program.  The app included information about D.A.R.E., pictures of the local D.A.R.E. officer interacting with students, and a game component.  Mrs. Jernigan said the competition is a great way to teach students how coding can be used in a wide variety of professions.  "It gives them an opportunity to see how these types of skills can lead to a career in everything from the arts to engineering," Mrs. Jernigan said. Congressional App Challenge winners have been invited to Washington, D.C., for the third annual House of Code Demo Day on April 12.  Students will explain the thought process behind the development of their app.  They will also demonstrate the features of their app.  We are extremely proud of Roper and Deshawn for all their hard work.

a week in pictures

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page. Sam, Erika, Isabella, and Landry Allison from Columbus Going to vote with Landry and Isabella Allison U.S. Dept. of State Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program participant Mariia Nazarenko from Ukraine Mississippi Primary Health Care Association representatives Marilyn Summerford, Joe Miller, Dana Ramey, Russ Ramey, and Sara Ramey Sheena, John, Madison Stewart, and Sydney Bryant from Corinth Michelle, Natalya, and Katriona Ross from Olive Branch For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.