National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Praises Senate for Quick, Unanimous Passage of AMBER Alert Legislation

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Tuesday, 21 January 2003

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) commends The U.S. Senate for their swift action in passing "The National AMBER Alert Network Act" (S.121). "Today, 43 children have been recovered thanks to the AMBER Plan. There is no doubt this legislation will provide states with the resources they need to develop strong, effective programs that will ultimately save many more lives, " said NCMEC President and CEO Ernie Allen.

"The National AMBER Alert Network Act" was introduced last week on the seventh anniversary of the death of Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl abducted and murdered in Arlington, Texas, for whom the AMBER Plan is named. The legislation would expand the AMBER Plan network nationwide. There are currently 85 AMBER Plans across the U.S., 34 of which are operational on a statewide level, and many more in development. "As the program grows, we need a nationwide communications system so neighboring states can assist each other quickly when a child is taken across state lines. We believe this legislation will help coordinate these efforts," said Allen.

The bill would also create an AMBER coordinator within the U.S. Department of Justice to enhance the operation of the AMBER Alert communications system; establish voluntary, minimum standards for coordination between various AMBER Plans, provide $20 million for a matching grant program in the Department of Transportation; and provide $5 million for a matching grant program in the Department of Justice, which would assist in the costs for education, training, and related equipment for AMBER Plans.

"Extensive training is critical to the success of the AMBER Plan," added Allen. "It's imperative that states have the resources to develop statewide training for law enforcement and broadcasters. This funding would also help states create public awareness initiatives to educate their communities about the vital role they play when a child is abducted."

In October 2002, in support of the 2002 Hutchison-Feinstein legislation, President George W. Bush issued an executive order that set in place many of the provisions of this legislation. He also pledged $10 million for AMBER Plan training and equipment upgrades. But the president urged Congress to pass the bill so that it could become law.

"This is one more tool that law enforcement can use in the fight against child abductions. We are confident this legislation will be an incentive for all states to be a part of this life-saving program," said Allen.

The AMBER Plan was created in 1996 by the Dallas/Forth Worth Association of Radio Managers along with local law enforcement. It is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases. Broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to air a description of the abducted child and suspected abductor on radio and television. Electronic highway signs can also be used to display pertinent information about the child, abductor, or suspected vehicle, which could help to hasten a recovery. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.

Other co-sponsors of the "National AMBER Alert Network Act" are Senators Hatch, Leahy, Frist, Clinton, Ensign, Miller, Voinovich, Crapo, Lugar, Bingaman, Stabenow, Fitzgerald, Feingold, Biden, McConnell, Nelson (Bill), Bennett, Dodd, Landrieu, Collins, Allard, Rockefeller, Wyden, Harkin, and Durbin.

NCMEC, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC serves as national clearinghouse for information and a resource center for child protection. For more information about the AMBER Plan or NCMEC please call its toll free, 24- hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST. For Bill text: http://thomas.loc.gov/

For more information, or to contact National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, see their website at: www.missingkids.org