December 31, 2021
Dear Friend,
A quality that I admire most about Mississippians is our ability to weather any storm - and we have done that in both 2020 and 2021. The challenges have been many, and the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus are still with us. Through it all, Mississippians have risen to meet every challenge. As your Representative, I will continue to advocate for fiscally responsible, commonsense policies that are important to Mississippians now and in the future. From our family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy New Year. God Bless the great State of Mississippi and the United States of America.
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One of the most important ways to advocate on behalf of our constituents is through committee assignments. I am honored to be your voice on Capitol Hill, serving on the House Armed Services Committee, the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee (Ranking Member), the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Budget Committee. These four committee assignments, including my work on strategic subcommittees, will help us to achieve our goals to provide for the common defense, support our men and women in uniform, limit federal government overreach, fortify Mississippi's agriculture industry, and fiercely protect the American tax dollar.
2021 Committee highlights
In December, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
In September 2021, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing titled "Ending the U.S. Military Mission in Afghanistan." Witnesses were Lloyd J. Austin, III, Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, General Mark Milley, Chairman, Joints Chiefs of Staff, and General Kenneth McKenzie, Jr., USMC, Commander, U.S. Central Command.
In June 2021, I discussed the need for improved healthcare benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserve with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, III. |
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Earlier this month, it was an honor to join Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch on the steps of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., to support historic legislation passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2018 that restricts abortion after 15 weeks. We gathered for a rally to give unborn children a voice as U.S. Supreme Court Justices began listening to oral arguments from General Fitch's legal team on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to determine whether states should have the authority to restrict abortions. To listen to my remarks, please click on the link. |
As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, I am proud of the passage of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation will ensure Combatant Commanders rapidly receive the intelligence they need in the field, continues to modernize the efforts to safeguard our competitive edge over China, and eliminates all Red Flag provisions previously included in this bill. For more information about FY22 NDAA, please click on the link. |
In November, we celebrated the naming of the Col. Carlyle "Smitty" Harris Post office during a ceremony in Tupelo. Members of this great hero's family and scores of people from the community came together to recognize Col. Harris's service to America during the Vietnam War. Col. Harris relayed his experiences serving as a Prisoner of War (POW) during eight years of captivity which included time spent at the famous Hanoi Hilton. At the risk of torture, Col. Harris used a system of communication called the "tap code" to convey messages to other prisoners. I am proud to call Col. Harris a friend and to have introduced H.R. 208 that was passed by both houses of Congress and then signed into law by President Biden. To watch my February 2021 remarks on the passage of H.R. 208, please click on the link.
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In October, it was a great honor to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the family of U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Embra Jackson, Sr., during a ceremony held in Tupelo. In July 1943, Mr. Jackson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and reported to basic training at the famous Montford Point Camp, North Carolina. He was among the first African Americans to enlist in the Corps and one of the thousands who distinguished themselves in the Pacific Theatre. Mr. Jackson was a true hero with a love for America that compelled him to leave the only life he knew to fight for our freedoms. It was an honor and a privilege to present America's highest civilian award to the family of this great American. (photo courtesy: Thomas Wells, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal)
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In February, we launched the Sergeant First Class Sean Cooley and Specialist Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program (H.R. 107). Colin Hawkins, a U.S. Navy Veteran and native of New Albany, was selected to be the first Gold Star family member for the fellowship. The program is a 12-month, fully-funded fellowship in a Congressional office for siblings, spouses, or children of servicemembers who have lost their lives in service to America. During Colin's time with our team, his duties included drafting legislation on military, veterans, foreign policy issues and serving in an instrumental role in the FY22 NDAA. For more information about the program, please contact a member of our team. |
Major Laterrious "Tony" Starks, a native of Dallas, has done an outstanding job as a member of our defense policy team in Washington, D.C., in 2021. Major Starks has distinguished himself in the U.S. Army, where he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving our great Nation. It has been an honor to work with him to achieve our office's strategic goals for America's men and women in uniform. I also had the privilege to host the promotion ceremony for Major Starks and to celebrate the occasion with his family, friends, and colleagues. |
World War II Veteran Olin Pickens celebrated his 100th birthday today in Hernando! The Blue Mountain native enlisted in World War II in August 1942. He fought in North Africa and was later captured by German soldiers. Mr. Pickens was a prisoner of war (POW) for 26 months, enduring starvation and bitter weather conditions. These days, Mr. Pickens enjoys good health, which enables him to relay his war experiences to others. He speaks regularly to Veterans groups and to a host of civic organizations. Mr. Pickens says he was able to survive horrific living conditions through prayer. "After an escape attempt, I was forced into a dungeon," Mr. Pickens said. "Jesus went in ahead of me. During those dark days, the Devil tried to get me to give up on life, but I had promised my mother and father that I would make it back home." Mr. Pickens did make it back home on April 21, 1945. He married his wife, Ruth, and they raised two sons, Larry and David.
Mr. Picken's parents and three brothers |
Celebrating the 200th anniversary for Franklin Academy in Columbus
Eagle Charge ceremony in Corinth
Discussing our work on Capitol Hill with constituents in Booneville
Touring Ingalls Shipbuilding with Rep. Jerry Carl, Rep. Steven Palazzo, Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker, and Senator Roger Wicker
University of Mississippi Veterans and Military Services Open House at George Street House
Girl Scout Troop 20359 Gold Award Presentation ceremony in Ripley
Presentation of medals to the family of the late World War II Veteran Walter Gann of Booneville
Meeting with our U.S. Military Academy and Preparatory School students in Tupelo
Meeting with the team at Taylor Machine Works in Louisville
Meeting with the Columbus Kiwanis Club
Working in the District - Eupora and Fulton
Celebrating the naming of the Thad Cochran Lock in Amory
Discussing infrastructure policy with North Mississippi Assoc. of Homebuilders in Olive Branch |
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Thanks for reading,
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Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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