August 16, 2018

Dear Friend,

I look forward to August when I am in the district, spending time with hardworking Mississippians. I enjoy driving across north Mississippi visiting with folks and exchanging ideas about how to make our communities better and safer. It is what I hear from you that helps to move our state and nation forward.

From top left: Meeting with Oxford and
Iuka constituents, Community
Development Foundation Furniture
Industry Roundtable, and Bruce TV-7
interview with Ann Morgan

As your Representative, I am always eager to listen to your thoughts and concerns. This month, we have sat down with residents in Lee, Lowndes, Clay, Calhoun, Prentiss, Tishomingo, Itawamba, and Monroe counties. Many more miles lie ahead as our work in the district continues.

national defense authorization act

President Donald Trump has signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019. This legislation will help us to achieve our goals to rebuild America's military, provide for our service members and their families, and take better care of veterans. It is vital our men and women in uniform have the support they need to protect our nation. Also included in the NDAA is a much-needed pay raise - the biggest our troops have received in nearly a decade.

This legislation provides for better training at a time when there have been more lives lost to training accidents than in combat. We owe our service members the best tools available if we are going to ask them to risk their lives to protect our nation at home and across the globe. To read more about what steps we are taking to restore defense readiness, please click on the link.

national purple heart day

America recognizes National Purple Heart Day on August 7. This day is set aside to honor the men and women who have lost their lives on the battlefield and to all those who have been wounded in combat.

Chester Starks, an Oxford native, joined the U.S. Army in 1961. Mr. Starks told his mother that he wanted a career in the military. During the Vietnam War, he was wounded three times. Mr. Starks was awarded the Purple Heart. Mr. Starks proudly served seven years in the U.S. Army. "Service for my country was an honor," Mr. Starks said. "That is the reason I decided to do it."

Leona Sally Starks, Mr. Starks' wife, said he has made their family proud. "On a scale from one to ten, I would give him a ten," Mrs. Starks said. "The family and I are proud that he served and especially glad that he came home safe and sound." Mr. and Mrs. Starks have four children, 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

These days, Mr. Starks divides his time between family and his fellow veterans. Mr. Starks is the Lafayette County Veteran's Service Officer. We are grateful for Mr. Starks' service in war and peace.

cafb change of command

Welcome to Colonel Samantha Weeks who recently assumed command of the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base. After serving two years as commander, Colonel Douglas Gosney relinquished command to Col. Weeks during a ceremony held on August 6. As commander of the 14th FTW, Col. Weeks will lead the 14th Operations Group, 14th Mission Support Group and the 14th Medical Group. Col. Weeks is the former commander for the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

It was an honor to witness the change of command and to bid farewell to Col. Gosney who is retiring from the Air Force. Col. Gosney proudly served our nation in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years. Col. Gosney's dedication to producing some of the finest pilots in the world is an invaluable contribution to America's defense readiness capabilities.

master-Bilt expanding in new albany

This is an exciting time for Mississippi and our nation. The surging economy is strengthening consumer confidence. More companies are investing in their operations and our workforce.

Master-Bilt recently announced plans to invest $1 million at their refrigerated cabinet factory in New Albany. Standex International, Master-Bilt's parent company, is relocating the production of refrigerated cabinets from Hudson, Wisconsin, to New Albany. This move will create 30 jobs. Currently, Master-Bilt employs a total of 425 people at their two facilities in New Albany. Tom Machingo, Vice President of Operations, said the company's relationship with Mississippi has always been a good one. "We are excited," Tom said. "This project will enable us to build a better product."

first congressional district parent of the year

Congratulations to Kim Hopkins! The Tupelo native was recently selected as the Tupelo Public School District's First Congressional District Parent of the Year. Kim is known for her devotion to teachers, students, and fellow parents. In addition to serving as a member of the Principal's Advisory Committee, Kim has volunteered her time tutoring and reading to elementary students. She has a distinguished record of service that includes many achievements in support of education.

Kim said being chosen as the First Congressional District Parent of the Year is an honor. "It was a big surprise," Kim said. "I like being able to help teachers because it gives them a break. I hope to keep the cycle going by encouraging others to get involved."

Kim is the proud mother of three Tupelo High School graduates. Her children are Ameyia Ford, Joshua Hopkins, and Jacob Hopkins.

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 and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress