Steve Rothman: “this morning New Jersey's families woke up to a story in the Bergen Record newspaper that is becoming all too familiar.…”

“this morning New Jersey's families woke up to a story in the Bergen Record newspaper that is becoming all too familiar. Car thefts are up once again. This time it is at Newark Airport, a growing international airport that we are counting on to spur North Jersey's economy well into the 21st century. The 83 percent increase in stolen cars at Newark Airport means that 83 percent more New Jersey families traveling via Newark Airport are dealing with the possibility that their car will be stolen. Beyond the personal trauma and the hassles of getting their lives back in order, these families will have to bear significant costs. That is why I am urging my colleagues to take up the ``1-800-CAR-FIND'' bill that is currently awaiting action in the Subcommittee on Crime of the House Committee on the Judiciary. As a member of that subcommittee, I can assure my colleagues that I will strongly support the ``1-800-CAR-FIND'' bill. It sets up a national system to track stolen cars more efficiently, and the bill will return the cars to their rightful owners more quickly. It will provide lower insurance premiums for our families. The rise in car thefts at Newark Airport and the other of our Nation's airports is a serious matter, it is a national concern, and it requires a national solution. Congress must not delay any further action in taking up ``1-800-CAR-FIND'' any longer.”