NCJ Number
213603
Date Published
August 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the efforts of the Bush administration to develop a nationwide AMBER Alert network that will facilitate the prompt dispensing of information on missing children throughout the Nation.
Abstract
President Bush hosted the first White House Conference on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children on October 2, 2002. In response to President Bush's request shortly after the conference concluded, Attorney General John Ashcroft appointed Deborah J. Daniels, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, to be the National AMBER Alert Coordinator. She is responsible for assisting State and local officials in developing and enhancing AMBER plans, as well as promoting statewide and regional coordination among AMBER plans. On April 30, 2002, President Bush signed the PROTECT Act into law. This landmark legislation strengthens law enforcement's ability to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and punish violent crimes against children. This act establishes the position of National AMBER Coordinator and specifies the coordinator's responsibilities. These responsibilities are to facilitate AMBER network development; support development of State AMBER plans and their implementation; help eliminate geographic gaps in AMBER networks; provide regional AMBER network coordination; and establish guidelines for issuing an AMBER Alert.