American Humane Calls for Quick Passage of Amber Alert Network Act

American Humane Association
Thursday, 13 March 2003

If ever U.S. lawmakers needed a reason to pass the National Amber Alert Network Act, they got it this week with the safe return of Elizabeth Smart to her family.

Elizabeth, the Salt Lake City, Utah, child who was abducted nine months ago, is home again after two different couples called police after recognizing her abductors from pictures they had seen on television. The media coverage was a result of the state's child abduction alert system called the "Rachel Alert."

According to American Humane, which has been protecting children for over 125 years, Elizabeth's case underscores the need for the National Amber Alert Network Act, which would mandate that the same type of system that worked in Utah to find Elizabeth be implemented nationwide.

"Timing is vital in abduction cases because the majority of child homicides occur within three hours of abduction. The ability of the mass media to widely disseminate information in a short amount of time is therefore crucial. And because abductors often take children across state lines, a coordinated national system is equally important," says Suzanne Barnard, American Humane's vice president of public policy.

While 34 states have enacted statewide alert systems to notify the media and activate immediate statewide searches for missing children, there is no nationwide communication network in place.

In January, the Senate unanimously approved the National Amber Alert Network Act (Senate Bill 121). The legislation authorizes $25 million in FY 2004 to help states and localities develop Amber Alert systems, electronic message boards, and training programs. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to states for developing or enhancing electronic message boards and placing additional signage along highways for the recovery of abducted children.

The House companion measure of the Amber Alert legislation, however, has not received the immediate action or attention it deserves. This is largely because the popular Act has been included in an omnibus package of child protection legislation that contains other more controversial measures. American Humane appeals to lawmakers to not let this important bill get held up in House debates when the lives of children are at stake.

"Without the media reports and billboard signs, Elizabeth may have never been returned to her family. There is not a more compelling reason for quick passage of the Amber Alert legislation," says Barnard.

American Humane urges all Americans to help protect children across the country by supporting the quick passage of the Amber Alert Network Act. Concerned citizens should contact their House representatives today by visiting www.americanhumane.org and registering to receive American Humane's Action Alerts.

About Senate Bill 121

Senate Bill 121 arose from a successful system created and implemented in the home state of the bill's sponsor, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.). North Texas law enforcement and broadcasters created the original Amber Alert in 1997 after nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted and murdered in Arlington, Tex. Over the past five years, some 50 alerts have been issued in North Texas, helping recover more than 14 abducted children.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org