[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3591-S3592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. STEVENS (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Burns, Mr. Dorgan,
Mr. Lott, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Allen, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr.
Vitter, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Warner, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bond,
Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Gregg, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. DeWine, Mr.
Jeffords, Mr. Inhofe, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Coleman, Mr.
Alexander, Mr. Santorum, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Allard,
Mr. Domenici, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Graham, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Rockefeller,
Mr. Thomas, Mr. Pryor, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Craig, Mr. Talent, and
Mr. Burr):
S. 2653. A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to
make efforts to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel
deployed overseas; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, the Call Home Act of 2006 would require
the Federal Communications Commission to take such actions as may be
necessary to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed
overseas, including the waiver of government fees, assessments, or
other costs.
In seeking to reduce phone rates, the legislation would require the
FCC to evaluate and analyze the costs of calls to and from official
duty stations including vessels whether in port or under way; evaluate
methods of reducing rates including deployment of new technology such
as Voice over Internet protocol, VOIP, or other Internet protocol
technology; encourage phone companies to adopt flexible billing
procedures and policies call to and from Armed Forces personnel; and
seek agreements with foreign governments to reduce international
surcharges on phone calls.
The legislation would, however, prohibit the FCC from regulating
rates in order to carry out the Call Home Act's requirements.
The Call Home Act of 2006 would replace similar legislation from 1992
that limited the FCC's efforts to reduce rates to specific countries.
The Call Home Act would expand the FCC's efforts to benefit troops
wherever they are deployed in support of the global war on terrorism.
We have received a letter of support from the Military Coalition,
which represents 36 military and veterans groups. We have also received
letters of support from individual members of that coalition and others
urging Congress to enact this legislation: Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Association of the United States Army; Enlisted Association of the
National Guard; Military Officers Association of America; American
Legion; Naval Reserve Association; Naval Enlisted Reserve Association;
Gold Star Wives of America; and Air Force Sergeants Association.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars' letter of support says that calls home
are ``lifeline'' for the brave men and women stationed abroad.
I urge you to vote for this important legislation.
I ask unanimous consent letters in support of this legislation be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
The Military Coalition,
Alexandria, VA, April 10, 2006.
Hon. Ted Stevens,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Stevens: The Military Coalition (TMC), a
consortium of uniformed services and veterans associations
representing more than 5.5 million current and former
servicemembers and their families and survivors, is writing
to express our strong support of your bill, ``Call Home Act
of 2006,'' that directs the Federal Communications Commission
to seek ways to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces
personnel deployed overseas.
Everyday, military members deployed or assigned
unaccompanied overseas are faced with the burdens of being
separated from families and loved ones. Your bill recognizes
the burden these members and families encounter and takes an
important step forward to reduce the costs of high phone
rates.
The Military Coalition thanks you for introducing this
legislation and recommends that the bill be expanded to
include all members of the uniformed services. We also
appreciate your leadership on issues affecting all
servicemembers and their families and pledge our strong
support in seeking enactment of this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Signed by 36 representatives of member organizations of the
Military Coalition.
____
Association of the
United States Army,
Arlington, VA, April 6, 2006.
Hon. Ted Stevens,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Stevens: On behalf of over 100,000 members of
the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), I write to
express our strong support of your bill. ``Call Home Act of
2006,'' that directs the Federal Communications Commission to
seek ways to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces
personnel deployed overseas.
Everyday, military members deployed or assigned
unaccompanied overseas are faced with the burdens of being
separated from families and loved ones. Your bill recognizes
the burden these members and families encounter and takes an
important step forward to reduce the costs of high phone
rates.
AUSA thanks you for introducing this legislation and for
your leadership on issues affecting all servicemembers and
their families. We pledge our strong support in seeking
enactment of this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Gordon R. Sullivan,
General, USA Retired.
____
The American Legion,
Washington, DC, April 5, 2006.
Hon. Ted Stevens,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Stevens: On behalf of the 4 million members of
The American Legion Family, I would like to take this
opportunity to offer our support for your draft legislation
entitled, The Call Home Act of 2006.
Your legislation would direct the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) to make every effort possible to reduce
telephone rates for those deployed and fighting overseas in
the war on terror. The bill also directs the FCC to develop
new technologies, encourage foreign governments to reduce
international surcharges, and help provide flexible billing
for troops and their families. All of these things would help
make positive improvements in the lives of our servicemembers
who just want to phone home and talk to a loved one.
We support efforts to reduce telephone rates for our
servicemembers stationed overseas who depend on an affordable
and timely means of communication with their family and loved
ones. Over a decade ago, American Legion National Commanders
discovered in their visits to troops in the Balkans that our
servicemembers were being charged exorbant telephone rates to
call home. The American Legion is strongly supportive of
military quality of life, and frequent and timely calling
home is a huge morale factor which could only pay dividends
to oUr troops going into harm's way.
Thank you for introducing this legislation and for your
continuous support of those on the battlefield today. We look
forward to working with you and your staff on the enactment
of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Clarence Hill,
Chairman,
National Security Commission.
____
Enlisted Association of the
National Guard,
Alexandria, VA, April 6, 2006.
Hon. Ted Stevens, Chairman,
Hon. Daniel Inouye, Ranking Member,
U.S. Senate, Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation, Washington, DC.
The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the
United States (EANGUS) is pleased to express our strongest
support, on behalf of the Enlisted men and women of the Army
and Air National Guard, for the ``Call Home Act of 2006''
which would authorize the FCC to take actions necessary to
reduce telephone bills for all deployed service members,
active duty, Guard and Reserve.
Members of the Guard and Reserve comprise over 45 percent
of all U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since
September 11, 2001, our nation has deployed over 525,000
Guard and Reserve members for operational missions for the
Global War on Terrorism,
[[Page S3592]]
all over the world. Unfortunately, many of these members,
predominately in the junior enlisted ranks, are not be able
to afford expensive calls from overseas to families or to
address personal issues that increase stress on the member.
All servicemembers need contact with their home areas and
families for a multitude of reasons; however most Guard and
Reserve member's home towns are not in the vicinity of a
traditional base; therefore contact with their families is
critical when deployed.
Today's guardsmen and reservists are professionals. They
are the best that we have had and they are answering the call
on a routine basis not envisioned during the Cold War. We
need to take care of those that answer the call from our
nation. If passed this benefit for members of the Guard and
Reserve will provide an important tool to bolster
recruitment, retention, family morale and overall readiness.
Thank you for recognizing one of the many needs of the
military community. You have the support of EANGUS and our
membership.
Working for America's Best!
Michael P. Cline,
Executive Director.
____
Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States,
Washington, DC, April, 5, 2006.
Hon. Ted Stevens,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Stevens: On behalf of the 2.4 million members
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our
Auxiliaries, I would like to take this opportunity to offer
our support for your draft legislation entitled, The Call
Home Act of 2006.
Your legislation would direct the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) to make every effort possible to reduce
telephone rates for those deployed and fighting overseas in
the war on terror. The bill also directs FCC to evaluate the
role of new technologies, encourage foreign governments to
reduce international surcharges, and help provide flexible
billing for troops and their families. All of these things
would help make positive improvements in the lives of our
servicemembers who just want to phone home and talk to a
loved one.
We believe that telephone calls and service are a lifeline
for our servicemembers stationed abroad who depend on an
affordable means of communication with their friends and
family. To help decrease these costs in any way is the least
we can do for those fighting for our freedoms and for their
families who are making their own sacrifices on the home
front.
Thank you for introducing this legislation and for your
continuous support of those on the battlefield today. We look
forward to working with you and your staff on the enactment
of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Wallace,
Executive Director.
____
Naval Reserve Association,
Alexandria, VA, April 5, 2006.
Hon. Ted Stevens,
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Stevens: I am writing you on behalf of the
members of the Naval Reserve Association, members of the Navy
Reserve, their families and survivors. I'm writing to express
our strongest support for The ``Call Home Act of 2006'' which
would authorize the FCC to take actions necessary to reduce
telephone bills for all deployed service members, active
duty, Guard and Reserve.
Members of the Guard and Reserve comprise over 45 percent
of all U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since
September 11, 2001, our nation has deployed over 525,000
Guard and Reserve members for operational missions for the
Global War on Terrorism, all over the world. Additionally,
during any month, approximately 25 percent of the Navy
Reserve force is doing some type of operational support to
the fleet for operational mission requirements.
Unfortunately, many of these members, predominately in the
junior enlisted ranks, are not able to afford expensive calls
from overseas to families or to address personal issues that
increase stress on the member. All servicemembers need
contact with their home areas and families for a multitude of
reasons. Most Guard and Reserve member's home towns are not
in the vicinity of a traditional base; therefore, contact
with their families is critical when deployed.
Today's guardsmen and reservists are professionals. They
are the best that we have had and they are answering the call
on a routine basis not envisioned during the Cold War. We
need to take care of those that answer the call from our
nation. If passed, this benefit for members of the Guard and
Reserve will provide an important tool to bolster
recruitment, retention, family morale and overall readiness.
I look forward to working together in support of a strong and
viable Navy Reserve, and all reserve components. Thank you
for all your hard work on their behalf with the Call Home Act
of 2006.
Sincerely,
Casey W. Coane,
RADM, USN (Ret.),
Executive Director.
____
The Naval Enlisted
Reserve Association,
Falls Church, Va.
Hon. Ted Stevens,
Chair, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, Russell Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
I am writing you on behalf of the members of the Naval
Enlisted Reserve Association, members of the Navy, Marine
Corps and Coast Guard Reserve, their families and survivors.
I'm writing to express our strongest support for The ``Call
Home Act of 2006'' which would authorize the FCC to take
actions necessary to reduce telephone bills for all deployed
service members, active duty, Guard and Reserve.
Members of the Guard and Reserve comprise over 45 percent
of all U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since
September 11, 2001, our nation has deployed over 525,000
Guard and Reserve members for operational missions for the
Global War on Terrorism, all over the world. Additionally,
during any month, approximately 25 percent of our Reserve
Forces are doing some type of operational support to meet the
country's mission requirements.
Unfortunately, many of these members, predominately in the
junior enlisted ranks, are not able to afford expensive calls
from overseas to families or to address personal issues that
increase stress on the member. All servicemembers need
contact with their home areas and families for a multitude of
reasons. Most Guard and Reserve members' home towns are not
in the vicinity of a traditional base; therefore contact with
their families is critical when deployed. Due to time and
operation differences, it is not practicable for the families
to call them and if they are able, the cost is still
prohibitive.
Today's guardsmen and reservists are professionals. They
are the best that we have had and they are answering the call
on a routine basis not envisioned during the Cold War. We
need to take care of those that answer the call from our
nation. If passed this benefit for members of the Guard and
Reserve will provide an important tool to bolster
recruitment, retention, family morale and overall readiness.
I look forward to working together in support of a strong and
viable Reserve and Guard Force. Thank you for all your hard
work on their behalf with the ``Call Home Act of 2006.''
Dave Davidson,
CAPT, USN (Ret.),
Executive Director.
____
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.,
Arlington, VA, April 5, 2006.
Mr. Harry Wingo,
Counsel, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
U.S. Senate, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington,
DC.
Dear Mr. Wingo: On behalf of Gold Star Wives of America,
I'm writing to support the ``Call Home Act of 2006'' which
directs the FCC to seek to reduce telephone rates for Armed
Forces personnel deployed overseas.
Gold Star Wives has a chatroom for new widows of the Iraq
and Afghanistan Conflict. Our survivors of the Global War on
Terrorism know first hand how important it is to have
frequent contact with their loved ones deployed overseas.
With reduced phone rates for those serving overseas, it would
certainly help permit more frequent phone calls to keep in
touch with loved ones. It would be a great morale booster.
Thank you for this bill, and if we can help in any way,
please don't hesitate to contact me. Gold Star Wives of
America., Inc. is a member of The Military Coalition.
Sincerely,
Rose Lee,
Chair, Legislative Committee.
______