February 22, 2019
Dear Friend,
The contributions of our farmers in the First District and across Mississippi are profound. Numerous businesses and industries serve in a supporting role, supplying farmers with the goods and services they need to produce healthy crops and livestock. Farm products sold in Mississippi total over $7 billion, and add more than $16 billion value to the Mississippi economy.
As a returning member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I will continue to advocate for policies that support farmers and the businesses and industries that they rely upon to succeed. I have retained my role as a member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. This subcommittee focuses on policies and statutes related to protections, inspections, and marketing of livestock. And as a returning member of the House Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee, I will work with my colleagues and all stake holders to ensure they have the tools and the support needed to conserve land for present and future generations of farmers.
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From top left: Grant Spencer, Nutrien Ag
Solutions Fertilizer Manager, the Guntown
warehouse, and Area Manager Bart Bevill |
Nutrien Ag Solutions is a recent addition to the First District, adding to the growing number of companies that are assisting our farmers and investing in our great state. The company has opened a retail farm center in Guntown that provides seed, crop protection, fertility products, crop planning, and digital programs that help farmers maximize yields and profits. We appreciate this investment which is a testament to the success we have achieved on Capitol Hill in support of Mississippi's agriculture industry.
| national sheriff's association calls for border security |
Last week, the National Sheriff's Association held their winter conference in Washington, D.C. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott joined forces with other sheriffs to push for enhanced border security measures. "We are not a border state, but we see the drugs that are infiltrating our southern border," Sheriff Scott said. "We fully back building a wall which will also help to deter human trafficking. All this illegal activity needs to be stopped where we know it is coming in. We are proud to see President Trump fight hard to secure funding to build southern border barriers."
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Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott with
Lorie and Bradley Scott |
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| honoring a vietnam war veteran |
Throughout the history of our great nation, scores of Mississippians have fought to preserve our freedoms, risking all to keep America safe. Retired Air Force Colonel Carlyle "Smitty" Harris is among the brave men and women who have made our nation proud. In 1965, Col. Harris was forced to eject from his F-105 Thunderchief when his plane was shot down in a fierce battle during the Vietnam War. He endured eight years of torture and hunger at what became known as the Hanoi Hilton.
During his time in captivity, Col. Harris implemented the "tap code" to communicate with his fellow prisoners of war - the same method of communication that would be used at the Hanoi Hilton by the late Senator John McCain. After his release, Col. Harris was reunited with his family in Tupelo. This week, the Vietnam Veterans of America Tupelo Chapter presented Col. Harris with a salvaged brick from the prison. We will forever remain grateful to Col. Harris for his devotion to our nation. His distinguished service will always be remembered.
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| prudential spirit of community awards |
Mississippians have a long history of reaching out to help others through community service. I am pleased to see many of our young people following in the footsteps of those who devote time and effort to give back to their communities. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recently recognized students in Mississippi and across the nation for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level. Since 1995, more than 125,000 middle and high school students have been recognized for their achievements through this program. It is an honor to recognize three students from the First District.
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| State Honoree Keegan Fiqueroa |
Keegan Fiqueroa, a 13-year-old Mooreville Middle School eighth grader, wanted to help the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita. This is personal for him as his father is a native of Puerto Rico. Many of the family's relatives live there today. Keegan came up with a plan to deliver basic necessities to the island with help from his fellow students. Through his leadership, some 30,000 pounds of medicine, hygiene products, diapers, and numerous other items were collected. He and his father traveled to Puerto Rico to distribute the donations.
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| Distinguished Finalist Annabelle Bunch |
Annabelle Bunch, an Itawamba Agricultural High School student, launched an initiative to promote awareness, advocacy, and action to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Annabelle was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 4. Two years later, she began raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for a Cure. For the past 11 years, she has traveled across America to encourage others with this disease to learn to lead normal lives. She is being recognized by Prudential for her "Just Too Sweet" initiative which has raised $14,340 for research.
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| Distinguished Finalist Marlie McClung |
Marlie McClung, a Belmont High School junior, would like to see everyone give up tobacco and related products. She has taken on a leadership role to encourage people to kick the habit and, at the same time, discourage young people from picking up the habit. She is a member of the Youth Advocacy Team of Tishomingo County, a role she has used to inspire 200 students to agree to stay away from tobacco products.
To learn more about the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, please click on the link.
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| Save the date: first congressional district art competition |
To learn more about the competition and how you can participate, please click on the link.
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| welcome Kirby miller |
Kirby Miller, a native of Natchez, Mississippi, is a new member of our team. Kirby will serve as our legislative director. She will guide our legislative team on a wide variety of policies including defense, agriculture, small business, and healthcare.
"Through my role as legislative director, I look forward to assisting Representative Kelly with all his policy goals," said Kirby.
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| a week in pictures |
For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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Haley Fisackerly, Entergy President and CEO,
and Allison Graves, Director of Federal
Governmental Affairs for Entergy Mississippi |
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| VADM Ted Carter from the U.S. Naval Academy |
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Clay County Board of Supervisors
President R.B. Davis |
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| Clay County Supervisor Shelton Deanes |
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| Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers |
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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