see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers on the web:   Computers for Learning

contacts for this news release

Baltimore – About the only thing missing was a bearded fat man in a red costume.

Otherwise for the handful of cheery Customs and Border Protection employees and the excited William Paca Elementary School student body, the holiday spirit carried the day as CBP donated 40 excess computer systems to the Baltimore public school at 10 a.m. today.

Computers once used to hunt down terrorists, evict inadmissible international travelers, protect consumer brands against trademark violations, identify dangerous insect species and assess proper import duties will now be used to support computer-based learning and develop necessary life skills for students at William Paca.

CBP Assistant Port Director for Trade Augustine Moore presented the computer systems to William Paca Principal Stacey Place.

“These computer systems once served us well helping to protect America and American citizens against bad things that wish us harm, now they’ll serve to provide our community’s youth with an opportunity at a brighter future,” said Moore.

The computer systems, which ranged from three to six years old, were replaced with more powerful computing systems. CBP officials chose to give these excess computers a second meaningful life.

“Donating these computer systems to an elementary school is a worthwhile endeavor,” said Moore. “It is good for the students in that it provides additional platforms for learning, and it is good for our environment in that it contributes to recycling.”

CBP employees recognize the importance of being positive roles models. They routinely volunteer in civic and social organizations, coach youth sports, fill boy scouts and girl scouts leadership positions, participate in places of worship, and sit on school boards.

“CBP employees take enormous pride in being good community partners and this computer donation is one important example,” said Moore. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and we are hopeful that this modest contribution will help provide these students with computer and research skills essential for continued learning development.”

CBP plans to donate additional excess computer systems to local Baltimore social organizations. CBP facilities across the nation have routinely donated excess computer systems for educational purposes.

To more easily transfer excess government computer equipment to our nation’s classrooms, the federal government has established Computers for Learning. Schools and educational nonprofit organizations can learn more about this program by visiting the Computers for Learning Web site, by emailing to Computers.Learning@gsa.gov or by phoning (866) 472-9161. ( Computers for Learning )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.