[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.
                                 ______