April 24, 2017

Dear Friend,

We are a country of ideas. The best way to hear your ideas is to simply listen. This week, we continued our work by spending more time with our constituents in 13 of the 22 counties that make up the First District. You have shared your concerns about healthcare, national defense, the economy, energy, and jobs. It was an honor to be welcomed into your homes, businesses, industries, and local gathering places.

From top left: Booneville Coffee Club,
Noxapater Town Hall, Olive Branch Coffee Club,
and the DeSoto County Conservative Coalition

The size of a room or the number of people assembled does not define a town hall meeting. At the end of the day, it is the number of ideas that are exchanged that matters most. It continues to be my commitment to make sure your concerns lead to policies that will move our great state and nation forward.

Honoring a fallen Mississippi soldier

Those who serve our nation answer a calling to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. That commitment comes with a willingness to sacrifice time with family and friends and for some, it becomes the ultimate sacrifice. Army First Lieutenant Donald C. Carwile gave his life August 15, 2008, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device during an Operation Enduring Freedom combat mission in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

This week, it was an honor to dedicate a United States Postal facility in his memory. My colleagues in Congress proudly supported legislation I introduced in 2016. H.R. 5309, designates the U.S. Postal facility in Oxford as the "Army First Lieutenant Donald C. Carwile Post Office Building."

Donnie, as friends and family knew him, also served as an officer for the Oxford and Batesville Police Departments. The Oxford Police Department Color Guard presented the Colors in honor of their fallen brother during a ceremony at the facility located on 401 McElroy Drive. Dennis Carwile, Donnie's dad, quoted one of my favorite Bible verses during the ceremony. Mathew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Mr. Carwile said Donnie was where he wanted to be when tragedy struck their family - serving his country.

representing first district manufacturers

Manufacturing is a main driver of the Mississippi economy. Our industries are essential to providing jobs for hard working Mississippians who want to provide for their families. For too many years, American manufacturers have been burdened by costly regulations that impact growth and job creation. This week, we talked to manufacturers in the First District who echo the concerns of those across the nation.

From top left: North American Coal Corporation
Red Hills Mine in Choctaw County, Volvo Byhalia
Central Distribution Center, and Tecumseh
Products Company in Verona

We need to make a solid investment in infrastructure which will enable them to get their products where they need to be safer and faster. Manufacturers need to be able to compete on a global level. That is going to take policies which help them to grow and compete without excessive and unfair taxes. If they are to be successful, we have to level the playing field.

National Association of Manufacturers Award for Legislative Excellence

This week, it was an honor to receive the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Legislative Excellence. The award goes to senators and representative who demonstrate a strong appreciation and support for the important role manufacturing plays in our economy in Mississippi and throughout the nation. It has and will continue to be a top priority to help ensure their success.

watching over us: drone technology

It is a proud moment to see the City of Tupelo complete 30 energy savings projects over the past year. This has caught the attention of Tennessee Valley Authority which is assisting the city's effort by using drone technology to inspect their projects. Recently, TVA demonstrated how they use drones to improve employee safety and efficiency across the Valley.

The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, is technology that has been the focus of cutting-edge research at Mississippi State University. In 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selected the MSU Alliance for System Safety of UAS Through Research Excellence (ASSURE) to operate a new National Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. In November 2016, the State of Mississippi became a full member of the UAS Test Range Complex, one of seven FAA unmanned aircraft system test sites. On Wednesday, all members of the Mississippi congressional delegation welcomed the decision to base in Mississippi the Department of Homeland Security's demonstration range facility for small unmanned aircraft systems. The Mississippi Partnership plan was selected from among competing states by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate. Their research will support the Department's missions, which include border security, maritime security, and counter-UAS operations.

rotc hall of fame

On Friday, it was an honor to be selected by the Ole Miss Army ROTC Alumni Board for admission into its Hall of Fame. It has been a privilege to serve our nation for 31 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard. My commitment to defend our nation began while attending the University of Mississippi.

I received my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant from the Rebel Battalion of the Ole Miss Army ROTC. The leadership skills developed in the Ole Miss Army ROTC would influence future decisions to pursue additional roles including Tupelo City Prosecutor, District Attorney, and a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

a devoted Mississippi public servant

Mississippi Representative Steve Holland recently announced he would no longer seek office after serving 34 years in the Mississippi Legislature. Steve has been a commanding presence on the House floor and continues to be to this day. The Plantersville native has always stood by what he believed to be right and made sure everyone listened when he fought for his district or when he had a great story to tell.

It was an honor to be a part of the City of Tupelo's ceremony to thank him for all his years of service and to be reminded why politics was his passion for so many terms in office. Steve entered the world of politics after graduating from Mississippi State University when he served as a page for Congressman Jamie Whitten in DC. He says that was all it took to know what his life's path would become back home. His mom, Sadie Holland, is a Lee County Justice Court Judge and his brother Billy Joe Holland is a Lee County Supervisor.

"We are a political family," Steve said. "The Bush and Kennedy families don't have anything on us!"

Steve will continue to serve until his term ends in 2020. He plans to continue operating his two mortuaries and enjoy his children and grandchildren with wife, Plantersville Mayor Gloria Holland.

a week in pictures

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

BancorpSouth Chairman and CEO Dan Rollins III

Cassidy Brown, Rep. Jeff Smith, and August Fort

Lt. Col. Nate Miller and Roger Burlingame

Noxapater Mayor Sammy Carter and
Rep. Joey Hood

Mary Jane Meadows,
Doyce Deas, and Dinetia Newman

Tecumseh Products Company employee
Dennis McKay

North American Coal Corporation Town Hall
in Choctaw County

Landers Auto Group Lent Ritchey, Randy Paton,
and Jeff Field

Olive Branch Chamber of
Commerce Director Vickie Dupree and
Olive Branch Country Club Owner Joan Lunsford

Dennis and Judy Carwile

Oxford Police Department Color Guard
members Blake Horton, David Sabin,
Diarra Giddens, Jason Brown, and
Sheridan Maiden

Circuit Judge Judge Jim Pounds with District
Attorney John Weddle

Volvo Byhalia Central Distribution Center team
member Gloria Matthews

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