August 31, 2018

Dear Friend,

I can't help but be excited about our future! I've traveled over 2,000 miles in August, meeting with hardworking people in every corner of the First District. They love this nation as much as I do. Thanks to all of you who have invited me into your homes and businesses to share your thoughts and concerns with a focus on making America great again. Your encouragement and advice energized me. I'm focused on making sure your voice is heard on Capitol Hill.

From top left: Corinth Lions Club, City of
Corinth Alderman J.C. Hill, Peggy Starnes
at the Henry Clay Retirement Community
in West Point, and members of the
Forever Young Senior Center in Southaven

stark aerospace

Shlomi Sudri, Director, Missile Defense
Systems, MLM Division, IAI, Jacob
Galifat, Vice President and General
Manager, MLM Division, IAI, Rep. Gregg
Harper, Governor Phil Bryant, Boaz Levy,
Exec. Vice President, Missiles, Systems
& Space Group, IAI, Tom Ronaldi, CEO,
Stark, Moshe Patel, Head, Israel
Missile Defense Organization, Scott Notowich,
Stark Board Member, Swami Iyer,
CEO, IAI North America, and Keith White,
Stark Board Member

Stark Aerospace in Columbus celebrated a milestone this week. The company delivered their first "Made in Mississippi" Arrow-3 Anti-Missile canister to its parent company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It was an honor to join Governor Phil Bryant, members of the Mississippi Congressional Delegation, and senior officials of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

This was also a celebration of the strong relationship our state and nation have with Israel, America's most trusted ally in the Middle East.  Because of the expertise of the Stark workforce, Israel will be better able to defend themselves against longer range, higher altitude ballistic missiles. I look forward to more partnerships between Israel and Mississippi's defense manufacturers in the future.

Mueller industries

Congratulations to Mueller Industries in Fulton. The company, a manufacturer of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration and industrial products, has expanded with new warehousing and distribution operations, an investment of $3.83 million. The addition of 60 jobs brings their total employment to 615 team members.

The company has relied on hardworking Mississippians to achieve their production goals since the late 60's. I am grateful for Mueller Industries' faith in our workforce and for their investment in our great state.

safer communities

ATF Special Agent Joe Frank, First Judicial
District District Attorney John Weddle and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner

I applaud our law enforcement officers in the First District and across Mississippi who risk their lives every day to protect ours. These men and women strive to make our communities safer - usually on a tight budget. It is encouraging to see the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assist them with technology that is helping them to identify, locate, arrest, and prosecute violent offenders.

Recently, Oxford-based ATF special agents came to Tupelo with a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) mobile lab, which allows NIBIN technicians to examine and compare test-fired shell casings from crime guns as well as shell casings collected as crime scene evidence. Technicians examine and classify the unique "fingerprint" each firearm imparts on a shell casing. Each shell casing's "fingerprint" is entered into the NIBIN database and compared for the purpose of producing NIBIN leads.

From top left: Tupelo Police Department Captain
Jerry Davis, ATF Special Agent David Erhart, and
Tupelo Police Department Agent Beth Smith

"As an ATF agent working in north Mississippi, I'm encouraged by the cooperative efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies in this area," Special Agent David Erhart said. "Since Mississippi started using the NIBIN system in 1998, law enforcement agencies have received a total of 237 NIBIN leads - eight of which were generated during the last two weeks."

harvest season

Harvest season has begun in the district. Cecil Ferrell, a West Point native, is hopeful for good corn and soybean yields. Like other farmers, Cecil is concerned about tariffs and any potential impact they may have on his bottom line. He and I share in the belief that President Trump's trade negotiations with other countries is the best way to achieve fairness for all involved.

While these important discussions take place, we will continue our work on the next Farm Bill. Input from our farmers has been a critical part of crafting legislation that will support them. Through my role on the House Agriculture Committee, I will advocate for policies that will help meet the needs of our farmers and encourage future generations to follow in their footsteps.

For more information about the 2018 Farm Bill, please click on the link.

gathering in eupora

From top left: Clayton Allen, Elizabeth Weddle,
Jean Gregg, Eupora Mayor Lamar Dumas,
Ella Dumas, Judge George Mitchell,
and Barry Reedy

a week in pictures

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

Will Hardy, Hardy Russell, and Rufus Ward
at the Magowah Gun Club in Columbus

The Peoples Bank of Ripley
Board Chairman Bobby Martin

The Peoples Bank of Ripley President
and CEO Mary Childs, Chief Financial
Officer Kyle Smith, Vice President Bob
Glover, and Tupelo District Office
Director Darren Herring

Israel Missile Defense Organization Head,
Production Zeev Fridman, U.S. Representative
Gregg Harper, Head, IMDO Moshe Patel,
and IMDO Liaison Officer Lt. Col. Pini Brosh

Claudia Morgan with Stark Aerospace

West Point Mayor Robbie Robinson,
Ann Coggins, and Mrs. Dot Wray
at the Henry Clay Retirement Community

Henry Clay Retirement Community Director of
Senior Services Dee Mathis

Northwest Mississippi Community College
Student Services Vice President Dan
Smith, President Dr. Michael Heindl,
Dean of Academics Dr. Mathew Domas,
and Dean of Technical Programs
Dr. David Campbell

Northwest Mississippi Community College
Communications Director LaJuan Tallo

Alma Jean Burnett in Senatobia

Ackerman Mayor Tim Cutts

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 and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress