[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 154 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                          July 8, 1997.
Whereas the Nation's most valuable and vulnerable asset is its children;
Whereas their protection should be one of our highest priorities;
Whereas over 1,000,000 children are reported missing, and over 100,000 attempted 
        nonfamily abductions take place every year;
Whereas over 750,000 children under the age of 18 disappear for some length of 
        time every year;
Whereas law enforcement officials constantly encounter crimes against children;
Whereas sex offenders are nine times more likely to repeat their crimes than any 
        other class of criminal;
Whereas nearly two-thirds of State prisoners serving time for rape and sexual 
        assault victimized children; and
Whereas while many missing children are returned to their homes, many others are 
        exposed to danger and exploitation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) all Members of Congress should take appropriate action to ensure 
        the safety and protection of children in their jurisdictions;
            (2) State governments should have in effect laws which register 
        offenders convicted of sexual crimes against children and laws which 
        require law enforcement to notify communities of the presence of these 
        offenders;
            (3) States should have in effect laws which severely punish 
        individuals convicted of offenses against children, especially crimes 
        involving abduction, sexual assault, exploitation, and stalking;
            (4) law enforcement agencies should take the necessary steps to 
        safeguard children against the dangers of abduction and exploitation; 
        and
            (5) State and local law enforcement agencies should work in close 
        cooperation with Federal law enforcement to ensure a rapid and efficient 
        response to reports of child abductions, especially in cases where a 
        child's life may be in danger.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.