May 29, 2017

Dear Friend,

On this Memorial Day, it is important to remember all the great American heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. Throughout the First District and across our nation, many will gather to honor the fallen military men and women during ceremonies. Flowers will be laid on graves - a tradition which began after the Civil War that was originally called "Decoration Day." While we reflect on the lives of those who died too soon, we must also remember the men and women who place their lives on the line in our defense at this hour. Freedom comes with a price. It always has.

To read more of my column in today's Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, please click on the link.

ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017

The House passed, with my support, H.R. 953, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017. This commonsense, bipartisan bill eliminates this unnecessary requirement which has negatively impacted states, local governments, mosquito control districts, farmers, and lawful users of pesticides. The additional burdensome regulations were created by a 2009 Federal Court ruling that ignored congressional intent and existing regulations. States, local governments, mosquito control districts, farmers and other lawful users of pesticides need to be able to protect public health without burdensome regulations that do not provide any additional environmental protections.

remembering a eupora war hero

This weekend, a Vietnam War hero was honored for paying the ultimate sacrifice on January 22, 1971. Members of the Eupora High School class of 1965 held a memorial service for their classmate, Warrant Officer (WO1) William H. "Bill" Seaborn, Jr. WO1 Seaborn, a helicopter pilot, was mortally wounded during a rescue mission. Captain Richard Toops USA, Retired, WO1 Seaborn's commanding officer, was in the helicopter along with four others when they encountered enemy fire. Before they took off, WO1 Seaborn asked CPT Toops to put on a bulletproof vest. That would save his life.

CPT Toops was at the memorial service in Walthall where a headstone was dedicated in WO1 Seaborn's honor. WO1 Seaborn gave his life to protect our freedoms. It is a proud moment to see his classmates honor their friend who was the only Eupora High School graduate to lose his life in Vietnam.

Farmington celebrates 20th birthday

Happy birthday to the town of Farmington in Alcorn County. Last week, residents got together to celebrate the rechartering of Farmington which took place in 1997. Farmington received its original charter in 1837. The town was thriving with a population of 400 at the time.

They had a school, post office and several businesses. During the Civil War, the town was burned by Union troops following the Battle of Farmington on May 9, 1862. Residents in this town east of Corinth didn't give up on their community. Since they received their new charter in 1997, the population has grown from 1,200 to 2,300.

listening to our constituents

Whether we are traveling in the First District or at our DC office, your needs will always be a top priority. It is important to us to listen to your concerns. Last week, we enjoyed talking with our many visitors including representatives of the Oil and Gas Association.

Oil & Gas Mississippi/Alabama Division
representatives including Randy James and
Ben Thompson

honoring fallen soldiers

We continue to honor the lives of service members with ties to Mississippi. These soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect America. We have submitted details of their service into the Congressional Record.

SPC Bryan Edward Barron
SGT Audrey Daron Lunsford
SFC Saburant Parker
SGT Daniel Ryan Varnado
SGT Mark Allen Maida
SSG Kenneth Ray Bradley
SGT Jonathan Wyatt Lambert
SGT Christopher Roger Bell

Last week, it was an honor to speak on the House floor about fallen Mississippi U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal (LCpl) Marc Lucas Tucker. The Pontotoc native died while defending our nation on June 8, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Please watch the video below.

To read all the details of LCpl Tucker's service we submitted into the Congressional Record, please click on the link.

a week in pictures

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

Donna and Kelly Bagwell with Mississippi
Rural Mail Carriers Association

Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants
representatives Charles Prince, Bob Cunningham,
Linda Keng, and Karen Moody

Melanie and Eddie Blunt with Micah, Sarah Beth,
and Peyton Mooney

Melissa, Dorothy, Buddy, David, and Hope
Browder from Olive Branch

Mary and Roy Shannon from West Point

Jimmy and Julia Autrey from Columbus

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
President R. Scott Forney, III

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