Jim Matheson: “I would suggest that we saw the benefits of an Amber Alert-like program yesterday in the State of Utah. We had a…”

“I would suggest that we saw the benefits of an Amber Alert-like program yesterday in the State of Utah. We had a wonderful event occur, and it occurred because information got out to the public. What concerns me, Mr. Speaker, is that the Senate has already passed national Amber Alert legislation unanimously. It has been in the House for 2 months now, about; and I would submit that the legislation referred to that is going to be in the Committee on the Judiciary contains a number of other provisions which are worthy of consideration, but I would suggest it might be worthwhile for us to take a look at the Frost-Dunn bill, the straight Amber Alert bill passed through the United States Senate. We could take it up on a unanimous consent request right now and get it on the President's desk right away. Every day we delay is a day when another abducted child may have less access to an Amber Alert System that gets the information out to people. We learned a lesson in Salt Lake City. We are very proud of the miracle that occurred yesterday. Mr. Smart, in his time of triumph, still is emphasizing the need for Congress to move forward on this, and I would suggest that that is something this body ought to consider.”