May 24, 2019

Dear Friend,

During the month of May, Mississippians and their fellow Americans observed National Police Week, recognizing all the men and women who have died serving and protecting our communities. Ceremonies and memorial services were held throughout the First District. During many of the services, the names of those who have died in the line of duty were read aloud. In Washington, D.C., the 38th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service was held at the U.S. Capitol. Debbie Brangenberg was among the many thousands in attendance. Debbie lost her son, Tupelo Police Department Sgt. Gale Stauffer, on December 23, 2013. When she arrived at the airport, Debbie was surprised to learn that she would be escorted by the Southern Los Angeles District Attorney's Honor Guard.

For those who are still watching over us, National Police Week was a chance to thank law enforcement officers for their service which does not end when the shift is over. Remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

National Police Week in the First District from
top left: Northeast Mississippi Fallen Officers
Memorial Service in Tupelo, Law
Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon
in Houlka, Columbus Police Department
Memorial Service and the Prentiss County
Sheriff's Department Memorial Service

actions in the house

Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act

It is vital that our nation's small business operators and their employees have the support they need to thrive. In the 115th Congress, House Republicans led the charge to help workers and employers save more and earlier for retirement through passage of key legislation. We want to see more employers offer their employees retirement plans and the best way to accomplish that is by easing the administrative burdens for businesses who offer retirement plans to their employees. The House passed, with my support, H.R. 1994, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act. The SECURE Act gives employers the flexibility to match their retirement plans to their employees needs. To read more about the SECURE Act, please click HERE.

Armed forces day/family freedom day

Mississippians have long answered the call to defend America - risking all in defense of liberty. Generations of Mississippians have fought for our freedoms alongside their fellow Americans. Last week, I was proud to recognize Armed Forces Day in West Point. This was an opportunity to highlight the service of our veterans and those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. I am grateful for their steadfast commitment to protecting America and for all the families who have supported them back home. The support of our loved ones is critical to maintaining America's military might.

2019 congressional baseball game for charity

Members of Congress will return to Nationals Park for the 2019 Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on June 26th. Once again, we will unite on the diamond to raise money and awareness for people in need. This is also an opportunity to thank the U.S. Capitol Police for their bravery and continued support following the shooting during baseball practice in 2017. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

Every year, I proudly represent our institutions of higher learning in the First District by wearing their jerseys during early morning practice three days a week. This year, we have expanded that to include high school jerseys! You can see the featured schools by following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

academy day - save the date

I am excited to host Academy day 2019 for those interested in serving our nation as an officer in the United States Armed Forces.

Military service is a privilege and a commitment for many families in Mississippi and across America. It is my hope that many of our young adults will take this opportunity to learn more about our prestigious military academies.

Academy day 2019 will be held Saturday, August 24th at the Jackson Avenue Center in Oxford. Service Academy and ROTC representatives will be on hand to answer questions. You don't want to miss hearing their personal success stories! This session is open for all students, parents, counselors, and educators. No RSVP is necessary.

For more information, please contact our Robert Smith, our military academy liaison, at (662) 687-1540 or Robert.Smith@mail.house.gov

military academy appointment

I am always eager to see a young person who aspires to serve our nation in the United States Armed Forces. Military service is a privilege and America deserves the best and the brightest. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Barulli, a Southaven native, to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Benjamin, the son of Daniel and Wendy Barulli, will be following in the footsteps of his father who also attended West Point. Benjamin is an exceptional student with numerous academic awards. He also has a passion for community service. He is an Eagle Scout and is a member of the Key Club, Chess Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a member of the National Honor Society. I was also excited to learn that Benjamin has never missed a day of school since he was in Kindergarten. I look forward to seeing great achievements from this young man as he enters West Point. Ben said he plans to major in mathematics or science. Upon graduation, his goal will be to serve as an officer in the United States Army Rangers or the United States Army Special Forces.

introducing our summer interns

Josh Walton, Maggie Houin, and Andrew Ray

Our Summer internship program is well underway. We are proud to introduce you to Josh Walton, Maggie Houin, and Andrew Ray. Josh, a native of Clarksdale, graduated from Union High School - the same school I graduated from in 1984. Josh is currently attending Harvard University and, upon graduation, law school will be his next destination. Maggie, a Tupelo High School graduate, is a senior at the University of Mississippi. She is majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications. Andrew Ray, also a Tupelo native, is a senior at the University of Mississippi. He is majoring in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on homeland security. We are excited to have them on board!

If you are interested in applying for an internship with our office, please contact Alex Enlow at (202) 225-4306. You can also email her at Alex.Enlow@mail.house.gov.

a week in pictures

Lieutenant General Brian Kelly, Deputy Chief of
Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services, USAF

Don Switzer, Manager of Sales, Steel Dynamics
Flat Roll Group - Columbus Division

Mississippi Asphalt Pavement Association
members Jason Brewer, W.E. Blain & Sons,
Seth Spiers, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions,
Dwayne Boyd, APAC MS, Bradley Barnes,
Adcamp, Ralph Barnes, Adcamp, Michael
Arnemann, MS Asphalt Pavement Association,
and Lester Williams, Dickerson & Bowen

Westlake Chemical Corporation (Aberdeen)
representatives Ashby Baum and Kenneth Akins

Mississippi Society of Anesthesiologist
Association members Dr. Hess Robertson,
Dr. Sara Robertson, and Dr.Keith Carter

Mississippi Association of Realtors

Tim Rutledge, Director of Training, Regional
Counterdrug Training Academy

Marine Corps Congressional Mess Night

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott and Clay
County Supervisor R.B. Davis at Armed
Forces/Family Freedom Day in West Point

U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate
and Baldwyn attorney Jak Smith

Pastor Dave and Amanda Dowdy (Aberdeen)

Debbie Brangenberg with Tupelo Police
Department Captain Bruce Dodson

Mississippi Society of Certified Public
Accountants Karen Moody, CPA (MSCPA),
Donna Bruce, CPA (BKD), Annette Herrin,
DPA (TMH), Linda Keng, CAP,
and Bob Cunningham, CPA

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Legislative Director and Veteran Thomas Porter

Speaking at the Partners for
Stennis Congressional Reception

Earnest Wysong, Mark Bromiley, and Rick Roos
with North American Insulation
Manufacturers Association

Emergency Nurses Association's Shelly Logan,
Jennifer Williams, Jennifer Heindl, and Kim Wright

National Air Traffic Controllers Association Dennis
Hilton, Mike Long, and Fred Steele

General Joseph Lengyel, Chief, National
Guard Bureau

Promotion ceremony Major Bridget Day

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