[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 545 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 545

   To improve computer access for members of the United States Armed 
Forces serving in combat zones designated in connection with Operation 
 Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom so that such members can 
   use electronic mail to communicate with family members and other 
                                persons.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 2, 2005

   Mr. Gene Green of Texas introduced the following bill; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To improve computer access for members of the United States Armed 
Forces serving in combat zones designated in connection with Operation 
 Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom so that such members can 
   use electronic mail to communicate with family members and other 
                                persons.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. COMPUTER ACCESS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVING IN 
              OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

    (a) Increase in Number of Computers in Combat Zones.--As soon as 
practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall increase the number of computers located in combat 
zones designated in connection with Operation Enduring Freedom and 
Operation Iraqi Freedom so that the total number of computers available 
for regular use by members of the Armed Forces serving in such combat 
zones to send and receive personal electronic mail is at least double 
the number of computers available for such use as of December 31, 2004.
    (b) Funding Sources.--
            (1) In general.--To achieve the increase in computer access 
        required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall 
        maximize the use of existing Department of Defense computer 
        equipment and capabilities, free or reduced-cost equipment and 
        services of private-sector entities, and programs to enhance 
        the morale and welfare of members of the Armed Forces. The 
        Secretary may not award a contract to a commercial firm for the 
        purposes of this paragraph other than through the use of 
        competitive procedures.
            (2) Donations.--The Secretary may accept gifts and 
        donations in order to defray the costs of acquiring, 
        transporting, installing, and maintaining the computer 
        equipment required by this section. Such gifts and donations 
        may be accepted from--
                    (A) any foreign government;
                    (B) any foundation or other charitable 
                organization, including any that is organized or 
                operates under the laws of a foreign country; and
                    (C) any source in the private sector of the United 
                States or a foreign country.
    (c) No Compromise of Military Mission.--The Secretary of Defense 
should not take any action under this section that would compromise the 
military objectives or mission of the Department of Defense.
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