426th Civil Affairs Battalion Mosul Iraq

Northern Iraq Village has Electricity for First Time in Years

Mosul, Iraq -- The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion worked with local Iraqis in northern Iraq to provide Alkishki Village with much needed electrical lines.

The $50,000 project provided 250 residents of Alkishki Village electricity. It is the first time the village’s school has had electricity.

“Throughout the construction schedule we received excellent support from the Dahuk Electrical Power Department,” said Maj. Robert Schultz, 426th team leader. “They had inspectors at the site on a regular basis to make sure the work was being done properly so the effort wouldn’t be wasted.”

More than a thousand meters of high capacity aluminum electrical wiring has been run to the village. A junction box and transformer added the finishing touch to the project. Release #050105w

Civil Affairs helps Blanket the Cold

Mosul, Iraq -- The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion has provided new shelter, blankets and kerosene heaters to the Amedi District in northern Iraq.

Computers, copiers and fax machines were also provided to the mayor’s office. These donations will enable communication to be more effective, and the new office equipment increases the office’s efficiency in assisting the displaced people of Amedi.

About 300 blankets and 60 kerosene heaters were purchased with funds from the Commander’s Emergency Response Program and handed out to internally displaced persons in the area.

Fifteen concrete homes are currently being erected for IDP’s. The project began in September and crews have been working to complete the construction before winter. The three-room structures provide a living room, kitchen and bedroom with working bathroom. Electricity will also be in the structures to power lights and heat the home. Release #050105t

Chuck Grassley Committee on Finance

To: Reporters and Editors Re: Extended tax deduction proposal for tsunami donations Day: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today joined Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, in announcing a plan to extend the period of time in which Americans can claim tax deductions for charitable donations to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on December 26.

The tax proposal comes a day after the announcement of the President’s naming of former Presidents Clinton and Bush to lead a massive fund-raising drive for the disaster. Under this proposal, taxpayers would be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for donations made for tsunami disaster relief until Jan. 31, 2005.

Under current law, taxpayers would have to wait until next year’s filing season to claim a tax deduction for tsunami-related gifts made after Dec. 31, 2004.

The proposal would be limited to cash gifts made specifically for disaster relief. Sen. Grassley made the following comment on the new tax proposal. “Americans are giving generously to tsunami relief, as they did after Sept. 11. I hope this extension will encourage them to give even more. As they do, I hope they’ll make sure the charities they choose match their good intentions.

Inevitably some con artists will try to turn this tragedy into a profit-making venture. Instead of falling victim to opportunists, Americans should consider the many good sources of information about legitimate charities. For example, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar both have resources online to guide donors. A little research can go a long way toward stopping crooks in their tracks.”