July 31, 2017

Dear Friend,

Last week, the House continued to focus on national security and veterans.

ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Make America Secure Appropriations Act: The only way to keep America safe is to continue to strengthen our national defense capabilities. Building on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, the House passed, with my support, H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act. Highlights of the bill are below.

Defense

Boosts funding for the Department of Defense to continue rebuilding our military
Fully funds the authorized 2.4% pay raise - the largest military pay increase in 8 years
Keeps our military on the cutting edge of technology

Border Wall

Provides funds to build a wall that will secure our southern border.

Military Infrastructure and Veterans Affairs

Increases funding for construction of critical military infrastructure
Supports medical care for millions of VA patients including services for mental health, traumatic brain injury and homeless veterans

Energy and Water Development

Strengthens national security by increasing funding for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons programs
Reduces regulatory red tape by authorizing the withdrawal from the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule
Invests in Department of Energy programs that reduce our reliance on foreign oil, keep down energy costs, and make greater use of our natural energy resources

Russia, Iran and North Korea Sanctions

The United States will not tolerate regimes that attempt to undermine U.S. national security and threaten our allies. Last week, I voted for H.R. 3364, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which increases sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The Senate also passed the bill and it is on track to be signed into law by President Trump this week.

GI Bill

Since the creation of the G.I. Bill in 1944, improvements have been made over the years to reflect an ever-changing economy. Last week, I supported and the House passed, H.R. 3218, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educations Assistance Act. It extends eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill to any individual receiving a Purple Heart after September 11, 2001. For veterans discharged after January 2013 and future recipients, the bill eliminates the current requirement that benefits are used within 15 years of the date of being discharged. The legislation increases GI Bill funds for Reservists and Guardsmen, dependents, surviving spouses and, surviving dependents. To read more about the bill, click here.

Medal of valor

Last week, President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Valor to the brave first responders who risked their lives during the shooting at the Alexandria baseball field on June 14th.

Capitol Police Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner engaged the gunman and despite being injured, they never quit engaging. Alexandria Police Department Officers Nicole Battaglia, Kevin Jobe, and Alex Jensen also placed their lives on the line that day. These men and women are true American heroes.

how can we help you?

Navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government can be difficult and frustrating. Our team is here to help you. To read more of my column in today's Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, please click on the link.

2017 furniture academy graduates

A few years ago, a group of north Mississippi furniture manufacturers decided they wanted to help build the workforce. Rusty Berryhill, president of Kevin Charles Furniture in New Albany, joined forces with leadership from Southern Motion, HomeStretch Furniture, Max Home, and HM Richards to make it happen. It's called the Furniture Academy. The companies work with Mississippi State University, Itawamba Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Three Rivers Planning and Development, and the Community Development Foundation to offer the program. The 28-hour course includes instruction on how to interview for a job and how to hold onto it.

Carla Shackleford is one of 119 graduates of the first Furniture Academy. She was recently hired at Kevin Charles Furniture. In all, 46 of the graduates have landed a job.

Rusty says the skills they are teaching will benefit more than the furniture industry.

"It's helping north Mississippi," Rusty said. "If it helps other companies, we are the nucleus that is helping drive the team."

It's great to see this creative solution benefit manufacturers and hardworking Mississippians.

juvenile diabetes

Sarah James, a Northpoint Christian School junior from Southaven, and Annabelle Bunch, an Itawamba Agricultural High School junior, were both diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when they were children. They are actively involved in the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Sheri and Sarah James, Annabelle and
Dr. Jan Bunch

Every two years, JDRF selects more than 150 children to be a part of the JDRF Children's Congress. Participants visit members of Congress to talk about living with Type 1 diabetes. They also discuss the need for more research. Sarah and Annabelle gave us a scrapbook which shows their personal journey. It was an honor to meet these brave young ladies who are working hard to help find a cure.

future farmers of america

Farming is a way of life for many Mississippi families including those in the First District. They make agriculture the number one industry in the state. If we are to continue our goal to help feed and clothe the nation, it's going to take more young people who want a career in the agriculture field.

Anna Burns, Will Cornelius, and Nettleton
High School Agricultural Sciences
teacher Jesse Cornelius

Will Cornelius, a Nettleton High School student, is president of the Future Farmers of America Mississippi chapter. Will and Anna Burns, a Leake Central High School student and the FFA Mississippi chapter vice president, met with us in DC during the FFA State President's Conference. They are among the 4,300 FFA Mississippi chapter members.

Pontotoc ridge blueberry farm

Gerald and Teresa Holiman, owners of Pontotoc Ridge Blueberry Farm, say people from as far away as Brazil and Africa have traveled to pick blueberries and to try her jellies, pies, and breads.

The Holimans began growing blueberries 28 years ago on farm land that has been in Teresa's family for generations. They began with one acre of blueberry bushes. They now have four acres and 2,800 bushes. As National Blueberry Month comes to a close, let's thank families like the Holimans for devoting their time and energy growing this sweet, healthy berry.

celebrating a birthday

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Icedora Jones Ball! She recently celebrated turning 101 in her hometown of Louisville. Family and friends threw her a party at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Photo courtesy of Elmetra Patterson

Her nephew, Willie James Jones, says Mrs. Ball continues to enjoy life these days and is in great health. Mrs. Ball is one of 10 children raised in Louisville by her parents, Ulysses Ball, Sr. and his wife, Eula.

honoring fallen soldiers

Our work continues to honor fallen Mississippi soldiers with ties to Mississippi. We have submitted the details of their service into the Congressional Record.

SFC Johnny Roosevelt Polk

a week in pictures

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

Trey, Jake, Barrett, Nicole, and Caroline
Kamman from Oxford

Trent Lott Leadership Institute students Webb
Roberts from Tupelo and
Amanda Strain from Columbus

MG Michael Zerboni and SGM Mathew Krenz

Mississippi Land Bank representatives Jan
Hill, Lawson McClellan, Calvin Ozier, James
Robison, James Sayle, Mallory Sayle, and
Jenny Mesirow, Farm Credit Council

National Cotton Council representatives
Bowen Flowers, Jeff Nunley, and Richey Seaton

Ole Miss student Kenric Wright, II

Debbie Coleman of Kosciusko and Cindy
Hill from Columbus

Tammy, Joe, Sarah, and Maggie Minor
from Mantachie

RNC intern and Ole Miss student Alexis Glissen

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