James Pratt and his son, Kenneth Pratt

Today, we honor the remarkable service of World War II veteran James Pratt, a proud native of Calhoun City. James was inducted into the U.S. Navy on May 8, 1944, at the age of 18 in Bainbridge, Maryland. After completing eight weeks of boot camp and training, he was assigned to a Navy transport ship with a 300-member crew, where he served for the next 16 months. The ship carried food, supplies, and troops to locations around the world.

Though officially serving as a cook in charge of the ship's galley, James also served full-time as a gunner on a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. "The gun would shoot 60 times in six seconds," he recalled.

In 1945, his ship carried U.S. Marines into the invasion of Okinawa, a mission that quickly escalated into a fierce battle with enemy aircraft. While manning his gun, James witnessed an enemy plane strike a nearby U.S. transport ship just 150 feet away, sinking it. He also served in the Philippines and at Hiroshima.

Throughout his time in the Navy, James traveled the globe and endured extreme conditions at sea. "The worst storm was near Tokyo," he said. "We dropped anchor and drifted 50 miles off course." During that storm, crew members had to strap into their beds for safety.

On March 28, 1946, James received the long-awaited news from his commander - he was going home. "It was a good feeling," he said. After returning to Mississippi, James worked alongside his father on their farm before joining the E.L. Bruce Company, a sawmill in Bruce, Miss., which was later acquired by Weyerhaeuser. He went on to operate a forklift there for nearly 50 years before retiring.

In 1948, he married his wife, Carrie, and together they raised four children: Howard Pratt, Joyce Harris, Mavis Pratt, and Kenneth Pratt. Today, James remains an active member of his community and serves as a deacon at Friendship Baptist Church. On May 26, 2025, James was presented a Key to the City by Calhoun City Mayor, Marshall W. Coleman.

We are deeply grateful to James Pratt for his brave and honorable service to both our great nation and his community. 

The YMCA recently partnered with Tupelo Public School District to support back-to-school Open House events, including a visit to Pierce Street Elementary School. Team Kelly had the opportunity to meet with YMCA staff and see their outreach efforts in action, which included two mobile units providing snacks, free books, smoothies, music, games, and information about education and community programs.

Throughout the summer, the YMCA has worked to address the hunger gap for children in north Mississippi, distributing more than 250,000 meals across the region. In addition to their food programs, they offer early learning centers, daycare, after-school programs, summer camps, and swimming lessons. They also support academic achievement through reading coaches, 1-on-1 literacy tutoring, and the development of community libraries and neighborhood reading centers.

Justin Inskeep, senior vice president of strategy and development at the YMCA, continues to lead efforts to expand services in North Mississippi, with a long-term vision of establishing a YMCA presence in Tupelo. "Pressure and time is my motto," Justin said. His work centers on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility - key pillars of the YMCA's mission across the region.

We appreciate the meaningful work the YMCA is doing to support children, families, and communities throughout the First District.

Team Kelly was honored to join local and state officials, along with members of the Columbus community, to celebrate the life and legacy of World War II veteran Sergeant Dayton Egger. A portion of U.S. Highway 82 in Lowndes County has officially been designated the Dayton Egger Memorial Highway - an enduring tribute to a true American hero.

In 1942, Egger helped organize the Mississippi State Guard and had advanced to captain before joining the U.S. Army in 1944. He served under General George S. Patton in Company C, 378th Infantry, 95th Infantry Division. During the intense Battle of Metz in France, Sgt. Egger and his fellow soldiers were outgunned and outnumbered by German armored forces. It was during this battle that he was wounded, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. "A tremendous price paid for the liberty of this nation," said Dr. Bobby Douglas, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbus.

Despite his injury, Egger's determination never wavered. He returned home, became a skilled jeweler and watchmaker, and continued to serve his community. He was Deacon Emeritus at First Baptist Church, a member of the Bob Caldwell Sunday School Class, and an officer in the Lowndes County VFW. "To me, he was unstoppable," said his grandson, Andrew Medor. "His joy was contagious, and his spirit continues to inspire us."

Egger was married to his wife of 63 years, Elsie Ballard Egger, and together they raised two children, Janice Egger Medor and Thomas Egger, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "This sign is a symbol of the many thousands who paid the price so we could enjoy the freedom we have today," Dr. Douglas said. We are grateful for Sgt. Egger's sacrifice, legacy, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country.

As your First District Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, one of the greatest honors I have is nominating exceptional young men and women to our nation's prestigious service academies. These institutions - including West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy - develop future military leaders through rigorous academic and physical training, preparing them to serve our country with honor and distinction.

Those who are appointed to a service academy commit to at least five years of active-duty service following graduation. This is not only a significant responsibility but a tremendous opportunity to lead and serve our nation. I'm continually inspired by the dedication, discipline, and character of the students from Mississippi who choose to pursue this path of service.

For a complete checklist of the necessary application materials, click HERE. For more information on Service Academy Nominations, click HERE. Once you are ready to apply, please complete a Service Academy Nominations Form.

We're proud to introduce our summer interns who have been an incredible part of Team Kelly in Washington, D.C.

Molly Norris, a Jackson native and rising senior at the University of Mississippi, is majoring in Business Marketing and Sales. During her time on Capitol Hill, she has enjoyed attending foreign policy hearings and gaining firsthand experience with the legislative process.

Batton Barber, from Tupelo, is also spending the summer in our D.C. office. A rising senior at Millsaps College, he is majoring in Policy Economics and Political Science. After graduation, he plans to attend law school and hopes to return to Capitol Hill. He's enjoyed learning about health policy, foreign affairs, and attending committee hearings. 

Larson Howard, a Senatobia native and rising senior at the University of Mississippi, is majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Business. She's appreciated the opportunity to build new connections and learn more about issues like homeland security and foreign affairs.

We are grateful for all of our interns and the dedication and hard work they bring to our team each day. 

My office offers internships for college students each semester and during the summer. This is an amazing opportunity for students. Interns will work with staff members to learn the legislative process, assist with daily tasks, attend training, perform administrative duties, and aid in constituent services in an educational capacity. 

If you would like to apply for an internship through my office, please complete our online application. For more information, please visit trentkelly.house.gov or contact our intern coordinator at ctkinternships@mail.house.gov.

I am proud to announce that the deadline to participate in the 2025 Congressional App Challenge is October 30, 2025. All student participants must register and submit their application online by this date.

Hosted annually by the U.S. House of Representatives, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to inspire middle and high school students to explore computer science and coding. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to participate. 

Participants will compete within Mississippi's First Congressional District by developing and submitting an original application. Entries must be original in concept, design, and execution. Students may participate individually or as part of a team of up to four members.

Winning apps will be eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the official House of Representatives website, House.gov. Winners will also be invited to showcase their app at the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill reception in Washington, D.C.

Students can register and submit their apps through the Congressional App Challenge website. For more details, contact Melinda Whited at melinda.whited@mail.house.gov or visit trentkelly.house.gov.

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