Floor Statement--Final Passage of National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003

FLOOR STATEMENT: FINAL PASSAGE OF "NATIONAL AMBER ALERT NETWORK ACT OF 2003"

Mr. President, I rise in strong support of S. 121, the National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003.

Specifically, I want to congratulate and thank my colleagues who have worked so hard toward passage of this needed legislation: Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Dianne Feinstein.

The horrific kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart in my home state of Utah is illustrative of a terrifying wave of recent child abductions that has swept our nation. Clearly, there is a tremendous need for legislation to help communities fight these terrible crimes.

Without question, when it comes to child abductions, time is of the essence. We are all too aware that child abductors prey on the youngest, most innocent and vulnerable members of our society—often for the purpose of committing other serious violent crimes against them.

Too often, it is only a matter of hours before a kidnapper abuses, assaults or kills the child victim.

According to figures released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, almost 75 percent of the murders that occur following child abductions happen within the first three hours.

AMBER Alert systems are critical to successful search and recovery efforts because they enable law enforcement authorities to galvanize entire communities to assist in the safe recovery of child victims.

We recently witnessed the success of the AMBER Alert system in California where the system was used to broadcast the disappearance of Nichole Timmons. After she was recognized, Nichole was safely recovered in the neighboring state of Nevada.

In another recent California case, the AMBER Alert system was used to broadcast the disappearances of Tamera Brooks and Jaqueline Marris. Just hours after their abduction, and minutes before their possible murder, the two young women were found.

My home state of Utah recently adopted a statewide alert program aimed at preventing child abduction called the "Rachel Alert." The program was named after young Rachel Runyan who was kidnapped from behind her home in Sunset, Utah and later found murdered.

I know that law enforcement agencies are working closely with broadcasters and the public to develop AMBER Alert systems across our country. Despite these efforts, however, I believe a National AMBER Alert Coordinator in the Department of Justice is needed to assist States in developing effective alert plans that can be coordinated nationwide.

Fortunately, we already have the technology in place to do just that—the Emergency Broadcast System. For years, broadcasters have been cooperating with government officials and reaching Americans across our country by issuing emergency alerts on our televisions and radios. We have all experienced an interruption in regular programming so that a news breaking announcement can be made. With the addition of a National AMBER Alert Coordinator and continued cooperation between law enforcement officials and broadcasters, we can create an effective national AMBER Alert system.

Mr. President, just now, I walked to the Senate Chamber with Ed Smart, who, as the country knows, has joined with his wife and family to launch one of the most brave, concerted, and vigilant efforts ever-known to locate their precious daughter, Elizabeth.

On many occasions, Ed and Lois Smart have educated me about the need for enhanced efforts to combat child abduction, such as the "National AMBER Alert Network Act."

This measure is overwhelmingly supported by the Smart family and all the parents who have first-hand experience with the uncertainty, pain, and trauma that exist while waiting for news about an abducted child.

We have no greater resource than our children, and we need to see to it that we do all we can to protect them from predators of all types.

So let us pass this legislation for Elizabeth Smart and Rachel Runyon and, indeed, for all children in our Nation.