National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Calls for Quick Passage of the National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Wednesday, 5 February 2003

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) praises U.S. Representatives Martin Frost (D-TX) and Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) for re-introducing legislation that will expand and support the AMBER Alert program nationwide.

"This legislation will give states valuable resources necessary to create and enhance their AMBER Plans," said NCMEC President and CEO Ernie Allen. "We encourage lawmakers to pass this bill quickly so that every child can be protected by this life-saving program."

The National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 (HR 412) is companion legislation to a bill (S.121) introduced in the Senate by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) on January 15, 2003, and unanimously passed six days later. The legislation would establish an AMBER Alert coordinator within the Department of Justice to build a communications network for AMBER Plans in the U.S.; establish voluntary, minimum standards for coordination between these plans; and provide $25 million from the Department of Transportation and Department of Justice for educational and training purposes.

"The AMBER Plan has proven to be a vital tool in the critical minutes and hours after a child is abducted. Today, 44 children are safe at home with their families thanks to this innovative rapid response program," said Allen. "There should be no delay in passing this bill and making this important program law."

Similar legislation was passed last year in the House and Senate in separate bills, but the 107th Congress ended before final decisions were made. However, in October 2002, President George W. Bush endorsed the program and signed an executive order that set in place many of the provisions of the legislation. He also pledged $10 million for AMBER Plan training and equipment upgrades, but still urged Congress to pass the bill so that it could become law.

The AMBER Plan 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. The program is named in honor of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted and murdered in Arlington, Texas.

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