Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees and as founder and co-chair of the Congressional…”

“As a senior member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees and as founder and co-chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus I rise in strong support of S. 772, ``AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017.'' This bill ensures that Native American tribes would be eligible for Justice Department grants to establish AMBER Alert systems, authorizing a $10 million grant program. The bill would allow grants to cover costs associated with integrating tribal AMBER Alert systems into state and regional plans to ensure broader distribution of alerts involving Indian children. This legislation provides crucial infrastructure to keep children and adults safe in all of America, whether they live on a reservation or not. The Justice Department will be able to waive their 50 percent funds matching cap if any Native American Tribe is not able to fully fund their nonfederal share of the project. Law enforcement agencies use the AMBER Alert system through radio, television, phones, email, and road alerts to alert the public of child abductions. This system is responsible for the successful return of over 800 missing children. The lack of coordination between tribal and state authorities, and the resulting delays in broadcasting an AMBER Alert, were blamed for the 2016 death of Ashlynne Mike, an 11-year-old Navajo girl. More than 7,500 Native American children are listed as missing in the United States. This legislation will reduce that number.…”