November 4, 2017
Dear Friend,
This Thanksgiving, I led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to visit soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines stationed and deployed in military installations across Poland, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Ireland. It was an honor to be able to talk with our men and women in uniform who are far from home watching over us. Joining me were representatives from across the nation who share in my belief that we must build and maintain relationships with our allies at a time of rising threats around the world.
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From top left: Powidz, Poland with U.S.
troops from 2nd Cavalry Regiment
and NATO troops, representatives and
our military escorts at the U.S. Embassy
in Kabul, and with troops in
TAAC-South, Afghanistan |
We traveled to remote regions of these countries to talk with military leadership including General John Nicholson, commander of the Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan and Major General Jan Sliwka, deputy general commander of the Polish Armed Forces. It is important my colleagues and I have a better understanding of the current posture and readiness of U.S. forces in these countries. At the end of the day, partnerships we have with our allies will help protect us at home and abroad.
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Major General Jan Sliwka (above) and
General John Nicholson (below |
ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE
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Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017
One of the proudest moments for many Americans is to become a homeowner. Mississippians are among the 22 million American families who choose to live in a manufactured home. Working families, particularly in rural areas, depend on access to financing to buy a manufactured home. Many encounter a problem when they try to get financing because of burdensome, unnecessary government rules. A one-size-fits-all regulation issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) makes it more difficult for lenders to offer mortgages the federal government defines as "high cost." The House passed, with my support, H.R. 1699, the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation will help preserve consumer choice and financing options while leaving essential consumer protections in place.
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2018 the national defense authorization act enrollment ceremony
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As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, it was an honor to join my colleagues including HASC Chairman Mac Thornberry and House Speaker Paul Ryan for the signing of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation sets the budget for national defense spending in 2018, provides for our troops, and establishes national defense policy. This is the 56th straight year that the defense policy bill has passed both houses of Congress.
This demonstrates our commitment to military men and women who must have the tools they need to protect America at home and abroad. We have more work to do to rebuild our national defense readiness capabilities. This is a step in the right direction. The bill now goes to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.
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purple heart trail
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The Purple Heart is awarded to military men and women who have been wounded or killed while fighting to protect America. I have had the privilege to serve with many brave service members who earned the Purple Heart for their service and sacrifice. It is important we remember them.
The Purple Heart Trail is one way cities and counties pay tribute to service members who have achieved this great honor. There are 79 Purple Heart cities in Mississippi that are on the national Purple Heart Trail. This year, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to designate DeSoto County as a Purple Heart County.
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family readiness group - hernando
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As a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard for 32 years which included two deployments to Iraq, I know what it means to be away from family and friends. When we were abroad, there was no better place to be than with my family in uniform. Members of the Cobra Company, 2nd Battalion 198th Armored Regiment, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team will be among 4,200 soldiers who will mobilize in support of Operation Spartan Shield in the spring. They will deploy to Kuwait for nine months.
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From top left: Kelsey Watkins, Bryson Watkins,
Brianna Ward, and PFC Marquis Ward,
Layla Ferguson, Zaria Ferguson, Kymani
Presley, Autumn Burroughs, Nancy
Burroughs, and PFC Charles Burroughs,
Tracy Woods, Scott Woods, 1LT Charles
Woods, Ashley Woods, Cathy Robertson,
and Jim Robertson |
On Sunday, members of Cobra Company and their families gathered for food and fellowship in Hernando at the National Guard Armory. 1LT Charles Woods, a military legislative assistant with our DC office, is the company commander. Charles praised family members for their support of our troops. Family members may not wear a uniform, but their commitment is essential to our military men and women and to the continued success of the greatest fighting force in the world.
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2018 White house internship program
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The application for the Summer 2018 White House Internship Program is now open. This is a great opportunity for those interested in public service to learn from others who have made this important commitment to their fellow Americans. For more information about the program, please click on the link.
Our office also provides internships for college students each semester and during the summer. Applicants must have completed their sophomore year of college. Interns will work with our team to learn the legislative process, assist with daily tasks, perform administrative duties, and help with constituent services. Please complete the online application and submit to Brittany Burnham through e-mail at Brittany.Burnham@mail.house.gov.
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a week in pictures
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Dr. Larry Field, Mississippi Sports Medicine
Center program director, Dr. Robert
Hunter, president of Arthroscopy Association
of North America (AANA), and Sara Rawlings |
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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, Twitter and Instagram.
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Thanks for reading,
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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