I 
107TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5448
To provide compensation for the families of noncombatants killed in United 
States military actions in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 24, 2002
Mr. OWENS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on International Relations 
A BILL 
To provide compensation for the families of noncombatants 
killed in United States military actions in Afghanistan 
after September 11, 2001.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Property and lives of some innocent persons 
were destroyed as a result of the military operations 
in Afghanistan. Since the operations were launched 
to achieve the destruction of the Al Qaeda terrorist 
network and the Taliban regime which harbored the 
terrorists as well as acted in alliance with them, the
United States Government has worked strenuously 
to avoid injury to civilians. Any destruction of civil-
ian lives and property has been accidental as a re-
sult of human error or unusual unforeseen cir-
cumstances. 
(2) Collateral damage is a nearly inevitable part 
of violent warfare. United States military forces do 
not deny that there have been such losses in Afghan-
istan. 
(3) In many instances, the victims of such acci-
dents of war can be identified and surviving relatives 
can be identified. Such casualties are among the 
people of the Afghanistan nation that the United 
States Government has pledged to assist in the re-
building of the country. 
(4) More than $300,000,000 in aid has already 
been distributed to the Afghan Government through 
traditional channels. It is also understood that addi-
tional assistance is promised and planned for Af-
ghanistan. 
(5) There is no prohibition against the provi-
sion of some portion of additional funds for Afghani-
stan through direct payments of compensation to in-
nocent war victims. Indeed, although this would be 
a new and unusual conduit for foreign assistance, it
may prove to be more effective than traditional aid 
distribution vehicles. Dollars directly to the people 
may achieve a greater impact in the rebuilding of 
the nation while at the same time reaping great ben-
efits in goodwill. 
SEC. 2. COMPENSATION FOR THE FAMILIES OF NON-
COMBATANTS KILLED IN UNITED STATES 
MILITARY ACTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary of State, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General, shall 
provide for the payment of compensation in the amount 
of $10,000 to the family of each noncombatant national 
of Afghanistan who was killed as a direct result of United 
States military actions in Afghanistan after September 11, 
2001. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary of State 
shall—
(1) administer the compensation program es-
tablished under this Act; 
(2) promulgate all procedural and substantive 
rules for the administration of this Act; and 
(3) employ and supervise hearing officers and 
other administrative personnel to perform the duties 
of administering this Act.
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this Act.
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