February 8, 2019
Dear Friend,
This week, President Trump delivered the State of the Union address. Before the nation and the world, our Commander-in-Chief outlined all that has been accomplished by this administration. This is an extraordinary time in America. The economy is surging forward, largely due to reforms brought forth by a visionary - President Donald J. Trump. Under his direction, we reduced the burden of unnecessary government regulations, achieved tax reform for American families and businesses, made significant progress to rebuild our military, brought relief to farmers through passage of the Farm Bill, and most importantly - advocated for policies to protect the sanctity of life.
Compromise is the only way to achieve more progress on behalf of the American people. President Trump said it best, "This is a time to reignite the American imagination. This is the time to search for the tallest summit and set our sights on the brightest star. This is the time to rekindle the bonds of love and loyalty and memory that link us together as citizens, as neighbors, as patriots. This is our future, our fate, and our choice to make. I am asking you to choose greatness. No matter the trials we face, no matter the challenges to come, we must move forward together."
| committee assignment: seapower and projection forces |
Along with my new position as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I am honored to be chosen for a new role in the 116th Congress as a member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. The duty of this subcommittee is to make sure our troops have the most advanced weaponry available to push our military power past the front lines.
Mississippi's defense manufacturers have a long tradition of supplying high quality and cost effective goods and services to the Department of Defense (DoD). In the First District and across the state, they employ thousands of hardworking Mississippians who build everything from ships to helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to rocket launch systems. Defense manufacturing suppliers are also offering good paying jobs which we intend to keep.
At the end of the day, all Americans stand to benefit when we do everything in our power to keep our nation safe.
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mississippi army national guard Desoto county readiness center
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At all times, the men and women of the National Guard stand ready to defend our nation at a moment's call. At a time of threats - known and unknown across the globe, it is vital that they have the tools and the resources they need to maintain readiness.
Recently, I was pleased to join federal, state, and local leaders in DeSoto County to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the DeSoto County Army National Guard Readiness Center. I am thankful to DeSoto County citizens for their continued support of the military. This facility will serve as an outstanding venue, where our Guardsmen will receive the best of training. In addition, the economic benefits will be significant and lasting for DeSoto County.
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working for our veterans
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It is vital that our military veterans receive the best available healthcare. They should be able to choose their providers - whether it is the through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or with community care providers. Last week, the VA announced proposed access standards for community care and urgent care provisions to be made available in June under the Mission Act of 2018.
To see the proposed eligibility criteria for community care and new access standards, please click on the link.
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eddie Garcia joins our team
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Captain Eddie Garcia, a native of Goliad, Texas, recently joined our team. CPT Garcia will serve as our Defense Fellow for the year. Eddie's long and distinguished career in the U.S. Army includes six deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and multiple European and African engagements. He holds a Master's degree in Information Technology from the University of Maryland University College and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Legislative Affairs at George Washington University. Eddie is a member of our defense policy team on legislation that focuses on national defense, homeland security, and veterans affairs.
Eddie was selected to serve as a FY19 Army Congressional Fellow and was assigned to this position by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Army Legislative Liaison. Through my role as the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member, and member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I will work with Eddie on key legislation that will provide our troops with the support they need to protect our great nation.
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come see us!
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As your Representative, I am always eager to hear your opinion which is why we maintain an open door policy at all of our offices in the district and in Washington, D.C. If you have any questions or concerns, it is our goal to be helpful.
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From top left: Kevin, Madison, Brody, Pete,
and Jessica Carwyle, Holli, Joey,
Mason, and Kendall
Helton, Karen Bowen, Jeff Hudson,
Tanitra Stigger, and Anthony Bowdry |
If you are in our nation's Capital, please stop by our office. We can help you schedule a Capitol tour, assist in a White House tour request, and hopefully, sit down for a meeting. It is my priority, as well as that of my staff, to be as accessible as possible. Come see us!
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congressional app challenge
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Congratulations to Louisville High School student Nicole Adams, winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Mississippi's First Congressional District! Nicole is being recognized for her application entitled, "Getcha Career in Gear."
The app is designed for the Winston - Louisville Career and Technology Center students. Mrs. Kristi Jernigan, Louisville High School's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math teacher, said the app includes information about the courses offered at the center, organizations that are connected to courses, and general contact information.
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| Mrs. Kristi Jernigan |
"I am really excited for Nicole," Jernigan said. "Originally, Nicole worked on development of the app with another student who moved before completion. Nicole was able to successfully complete the challenge on her own."
The students' app will be displayed in the United States Capitol and will be highlighted on the U.S. House of Representative's website. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all students in Mississippi's First Congressional District. To learn more about the competition, please click on the link.
Click here to see the full list of winners.
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a week in pictures
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For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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Dr. Gordon Cannon, Freddie White-Johnson,
and Mike Jones from the Frannie Lou
Hamer Cancer Foundation |
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DeSoto County Supervisor Lee Caldwell,
Katherine, Noah, Charlie, Emalynn, and Langston
Kendall with Meghan and Laila Ford |
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| Major General Durr Boyles |
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| National Federation of the Blind representatives |
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| Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite |
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Mississippi College President Blake Thompson
and Student Government Association
President Anthony Jackson |
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Mississippi Assistant District Attorneys John L.
Herzog and Takiyah H. Perkins |
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Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill, Chief Operating
Officer Bart Robertson, and Alderman Jason Bailey |
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Amy DeArmond, Director of Government
Policy for Leggett and Platt |
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National Rural Health Association
representatives Tommy Bartlett, Tasha
Brown, Paul Gardner, Alvin Hoover,
Ryan Kelly, Mike Nester, and Joanie Perkins |
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Afghanistan Ambassador, Her Excellency
Roya Rahmani |
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DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority Board
Chairman B.J. Page, DCRUA Board
Member Ray Denison, DCRUA Board
Member Donnie Chambliss, DCRUA
Executive Director Bill Austin, DCRUA
Counsel Nick Manley, and Olive
Branch Mayor Scott Phillips
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USA Rice Federation representatives Joe
Mencer, Sean Doherty, Nicole Van
Vleck, Kirk Satterfield, Daniel Berglund,
Linda Raun, and Jackie Loewer |
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| Michael, Rita, Amanda, and Ava Berthay (Saltillo) |
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Blue Mountain College President
Dr. Barbara McMillan |
For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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STAY IN TOUCH
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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.
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Thanks for reading,
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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