| March 13, 2003 |
Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) today called on her House colleagues to approve as soon as possible the Senate version of legislation establishing a nationwide Amber Alert system. Such action would send the measure directly to the President for signature and allow the Department of Justice to begin coordinating the patchwork of state and local Amber Alerts to better respond to child abductions.
"A national Amber Alert may not have prevented Elizabeth Smart from being held captive for nine months, but yesterday’s news should serve as powerful evidence that if you get the information to the public, miracles can happen," said Granger. "The House of Representatives should pass the Amber Alert bill now, send it to the President, and then use that momentum to enact additional legislation that will prevent child abductions."
Granger is a cosponsor of legislation by Representatives Martin Frost (D-TX) and Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) mirroring the Senate Amber Alert bill.
"The abduction of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare," said Granger. "As a society we must do everything we can to prevent violence against our most innocent and vulnerable members."