FederalDaily - November 27, 2006
AT&T & USO Help Military/Families Connect
Troops will now receive about 10,000 more free prepaid phone cards to help servicemembers connect
with their families during the holidays—the third such distribution of cards this year. This
wave was announced Nov. 20 and is part of a philanthropic effort by AT&T and the United Service
Organizations, Inc. (USO). The program has handed out more than 30,000 prepaid phone cards—valued
at $270,000—in 2006. The prepaid cards are being distributed to troops in Asia, Europe and the
Middle East. Distribution of the phone cards is already under way so that troops will have them in
time for Thanksgiving, a peak time for phoning home from military calling centers, AT&T said. According
to the USO, the No. 1 item requested by military personnel is a prepaid calling card. “Many military
members will be away from their loved ones on Thanksgiving and through the December holiday season,” said
Cathy Martine, senior vice president-AT&T national mass markets. “We want to help connect
these families as the holidays approach—and to honor the many men and women who sacrifice so
much.” To see more, go to: http://sev.prnewswire.com/telecommunications/20061120/CGM01820112006-1.html
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VFW Commander Urges Quick Budget Passage
The national commander of the nation’s largest organization of combat veterans is urging Congress
to find a way to quickly pass the $94.3 billion Fiscal Year 2007 appropriations bill that would fund
military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Gary Kurpius, head of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, singled out three Republican senators—Sens. Tom Coburn, Okla., Jim DeMint, S.C.,
and Jeff Sessions, Ala.—for delaying action on the bill until the installation of the new Democrat-controlled
110th Congress. Although the measure (HR 5385) has passed both houses, it must go to a conference committee
to iron out differences. Kurpius said the three senators are blocking such action, preferring to punt
the difficult decisions to the Democrats. This is “nothing short of pure partisan politics and
sheer arrogance towards the new Democrat- controlled 110th Congress,” Kurpius said. “Our
elected officials need to pass the budget and do the jobs they were elected to do.” To see more,
go to: www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=3684
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OPM Relaxes CFC Rules
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued final rules for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
which include the relaxing of some eligibility criteria and the removal of geographic barriers to federal
employee giving during disasters and emergencies. The rules, published in the Nov. 20 Federal Register, streamline
eligibility criteria and public accountability standards on groups who want to participate in the CFC.
The new rules also promote the use of technology to enable online pledging. Administered by OPM, the
CFC is the nation's largest employer-sponsored charity drive—receiving more than $5.5 billion
from the federal community since its inception. “We will continue to provide federal donors with
assurances the charities that participate in the CFC have met the eligibility criteria and are fiscally
accountable,” said Linda Springer, OPM director. “With these rules, we are ensuring the
future success of a program that was established in 1961.” To see more, go to: www.opm.gov/news/opm-issues-final-rules-to-modernize-the-combined-federal-campaign-and-expand-opportunities-for-donors-to-provide-financial-assistance,1117.aspx
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