This week, we celebrate National Small Business Week and recognize the vital role small businesses play in driving our economy and supporting our communities.

House Republicans remain committed to supporting American workers and preventing what would be the largest tax hike in U.S. history. Our goal is to ensure that American families keep more of their hard-earned money.

President Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made U.S. businesses more competitive and spurred job creation. Making those cuts permanent would continue to strengthen our economy. If allowed to expire, an estimated 6 million jobs could be lost, the average taxpayer could face a 22% tax increase, and nearly 26 million small businesses could see their tax rate rise to 43.4%.

I will continue to stand with small businesses and work to stop this tax hike that threatens American jobs and families.

Today, we recognize and honor Robert (Bobby) and Claire Barrett, longtime Aberdeen residents and proud U.S. Army veterans. The Barretts have called Aberdeen home since 2000 and have served our country with distinction. 

Bobby graduated from Mississippi State University and its ROTC program in 1965. He began active duty in the U.S. Army that September and completed flight school in 1966. After training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he deployed to Vietnam, where he flew UH-1 helicopters with the 45th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), known as "Dust Off," stationed in Long Binh. His call sign was Dust Off Three Zero.

The Dust Off Crews were recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, becoming the first military group to receive this honor. Comprising roughly 3,000 members, the units conducted about 745,000 missions and evacuated up to 900,000 individuals during the Vietnam War. "We were truly 911 over there," Bobby said. Despite facing intense danger, they launched missions within minutes, striving to deliver wounded personnel to hospitals within an hour. Their efforts led to a remarkable 98% survival rate. "We had a job to do, and that's what we did," Bob said. "I am very proud to be a recipient." 

Bobby served one year in Vietnam, flying approximately 700 hours in active combat zones. Remarkably, his helicopter was never hit by enemy fire. "It was my honor and privilege to serve and do what I did," Bobby said.

Claire Barnett, originally from New Jersey, joined the Army in 1966 as a second lieutenant after graduating from nursing school. She deployed to Vietnam in 1967, serving at the 93rd Evacuation Hospital. "I enjoyed taking care of my patients and seeing them recover and go home," she said. Just one week into her deployment, she met Bobby. After a year of service, they returned to the United States together and married one month later. This September, they will celebrate 58 years of marriage. They have two sons, Robert Jr. and John.

After returning home, Bobby joined the Mississippi National Guard, serving as a pilot until 1984, when he returned to active duty through the AGR program and completed 20 years of service. He later helped establish the ROTC program at Louisville High School and went on to lead the program at West Point High School until his retirement in 2004. Claire resumed her nursing career after raising their children and retired from the Longest Student Health Center at Mississippi State.

We are grateful for the Barrett's service and continued dedication to our nation. We also congratulate Bobby and his fellow Dust Off crew members on their well-deserved Congressional Gold Medal. 

With warm weather and summer on the way, now is a great time to plan your trip to Washington, D.C. My office offers free Congressional tours and tickets to several major landmarks on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because tour hours and tickets availability can vary throughout the year, please contact my office at least three to six weeks before your visit. If a Congressional tour is not available for your selected sites, many locations still offer public tours. You can find more information on public options through the House Visitor's Guide.

Admission policies are set by each tour site or agency, not by Congressional offices. Unless otherwise noted, tours are available Monday through Friday.

Tour Locations Include:

• The White House
• The U.S. Capitol Building
• The National Museum of African American History
• The Library of Congress

To request a tour, visit trentkelly.house.gov, or contact Jack Kizer at jack.kizer@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-4306.

I am proud to announce the date for Academy Day 2025. This is an opportunity for Mississippi's First Congressional District parents, students, and educators to learn more about America's prestigious service academies.

Representatives will be participating from the following institutions: U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Marion Military Institute, University of Mississippi ROTC and Mississippi State ROTC.

We are also proud to announce the appointment of Conner Couch to the U.S. Naval Academy. A senior at Hernando High School, Conner has earned numerous academic honors and awards in the classroom, sports, and extracurricular activities. We commend Conner's achievements and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

For more information about Service Academy nomination through my office, please contact Robert Smith at robert.smith@mail.house.gov or (662) 687-1540.

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