March 26, 2018

Dear Friend,

Tax reform is working. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, there has been a surge of optimism in Mississippi and across the nation. To read more of my column in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, please click on the link.

rebuilding America's military readiness

We must continue working to rebuild America's military readiness. Our top priority is to ensure that all of our brave men and women in the military have the capabilities they need to protect our nation. Last week, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing titled, "Assessing the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request and the Acquisition Reform Progress." The secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force offered testimony and answered questions about the administration's fiscal year 2019 budget request. To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.

Mississippi national guard send-off ceremony in pontotoc

Members of the Mississippi Army National Guard A Troop 1-98th Recon Scout Unit are deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Last Friday, City of Pontotoc and Pontotoc County officials hosted a send-off ceremony in their honor. This was also an opportunity to thank the families of these soldiers. The support our service members receive from loved ones back home makes it possible to better serve our great nation.

First Sergeant (1SG) David Wentz, Jessica,
and their son, Colton

First Sergeant (1SG) David Wentz is one of 80 members of the unit who are deploying to Fort Bliss, Texas for additional training before they deploy to Kuwait. This is the third deployment for 1SG Wentz, a native of Tippah County. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 and 2009. 1SG Wentz said his wife, Jessica, will once again take care of the family while he is away. "My wife is a veteran of deployments," 1SG Wentz said. "Not only does Jessica manage our household, she also reaches out to support the younger wives who are experiencing this for the first time."

It was an honor to spend time with them and to be a part of the ceremony. We are thankful for their service to our state and the nation.

cooper tire & Rubber Company

In 1984, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company began producing tires in Tupelo. Since then, their workforce has grown to nearly 1,400 employees. Recently, Cooper Tire celebrated a company milestone. As of February 6, their team had produced 375 million tires at the plant. Last week, Jim Pritchett, Cooper Tire's Tupelo plant manager, gathered with local leaders to thank employees for all their hard work. We are thankful for Cooper Tire and for their investment in our workforce and the state of Mississippi.

national agriculture day

Last week, America recognized National Agriculture Day. Generations of families have made their living on the farm. Their hard work to feed and clothe our nation remains essential to the success and safety of our nation. For those reasons and many more, farmers need our support now and in the future. Through my role on the House Agriculture Committee, I remain committed to making sure the next farm bill addresses the issues that are having an impact on Mississippi's farming industry. Additionally, our field staff regularly works with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and are always available to assist you. If you need assistance with one of these agencies, please contact Adam Grubbs in our Columbus office at (662) 327-0748.

broadband infrastructure grants

Access to broadband technology helps businesses, especially in rural areas, improve their business practices, grow their client base, and create more jobs. Still, many rural communities stand last in line to gain access to broadband. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to help. The USDA is accepting applications for grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas where they are needed most. Applications will be accepted through May 14 in the Community Connect Program. The grants range from $100,000 to $3 million. The grants are available to state and local governments, federally-recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit corporations. Applicants must provide a 15 percent match for the requested grant amount. For more information, please read page 11494 of the March 15 Federal Register.

a week in pictures

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

Myrna and Danny Hancock from Noxapater

2017 National Outstanding Young
Farmers of the Year Brad and Molly
Judson from West Point

Specialist (SPC) Giovon Jackson
from Pontotoc County

Private First Class (PFC) Brelynn Hudgins
from Water Valley and Specialist
(SPC) Mathew Henderson from Oxford

Pontotoc Miss Hospitality Katlyn Thomas

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