[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              POLITICS-AS-USUAL MUST NOT HIJACK AMBER BILL

  (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to protecting our children, 
this House should never allow politics as usual to stand in the way of 
action. The House Republican leadership could allow Members to vote 
today to send legislation strengthening America's Amber Alert to the 
President. It is time to stop playing politics on this issue. So in a 
moment I will request unanimous consent to immediately take up the 
Amber bill in the House. This is the exact same legislation that passed 
the Senate earlier this year.
  Five children have already been rescued with the aid of the Amber 
Alert in March alone. By passing the Amber bill, we can make this 
lifesaving program even more effective, but that will only happen soon 
if we listen to people like Ed Smart and others and stop allowing 
politics to hijack the Amber bill.


 Request for Consideration of S. 121, The National Amber Alert Network 
                     Act on Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that as the first 
order of business on Tuesday, March 18, it shall be in order without 
intervention of any point of order to consider in the House S. 121, the 
National Amber Alert Network Act.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The gentleman has not been 
recognized for that purpose. The gentleman may proceed with his 1-
minute speech under the Speaker's guidelines.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I regret the ruling of the Chair. House 
Republican leaders have prevented us from voting on the Amber bill for 
over 6 months now and counting. This issue should not be treated like 
just another horse trade with the Senate. I implore the leaders of this 
House to let us do the right thing for our children and send the Amber 
bill to the President this week.

                          ____________________