[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 67 (Thursday, May 19, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S5539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH:
  S. 1086. A bill to improve the national program to register and 
monitor individuals who commit crimes against children or sex offenses; 
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, we are here today in a battle to save our 
children, their families, and the victims, of repeat sex offenders.
  I am so proud of the real warriors in this battle: the victims and 
their family members. One of those warriors is Ed Smart, from my home 
State of Utah, whose daughter Elizabeth was kidnapped from her own 
bedroom by a sexual predator. Ed is joined by Patti Wetterling, Linda 
Walker, and other outstanding advocates of our children, including John 
Walsh of America's Most Wanted, Ernie Allen of the National Center for 
Missing and Exploited Children, and Robbie Calloway of the Boys & Girls 
Club of America in support of this bipartisan legislation we are 
introducing today along with co-sponsor Senator Biden. We need 
legislation that will close the gaps in many laws already on the books; 
integrate and revive the existing laws; and expand covered offenses 
against children.
  The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act will bring all of 
the States up to date and enable citizens in every State to inform 
themselves about predators in their communities. This law will enable 
States to take public information about sex offenders and make it easy 
for citizens to access at one, open, web-site.
  This legislation will put the responsibility on the sex offenders 
themselves to register with the local authorities. They will be 
required to notify those authorities when they move or change jobs. And 
if they don't want to comply with the rules--then they will go to jail!
  This is common sense--those who break such a sacred trust and intend 
to harm our children, no matter who they are, where they are from, or 
where they commit their crime, should have some obligations under this 
law to voluntarily make their whereabouts known or subject themselves 
to additional jail time. That's what this bill is about. It's that 
simple.
  The victims and victims' families have dealt with the pain and 
anguish imposed on them by these sexual offenders and predators. But 
instead of lying down, they are standing up for imposing common-sense 
rules on those who have taken the life and liberty of the most innocent 
and defenseless among us. They are standing up for tough sentences 
against those who won't abide by these very simple rules. They are 
standing up to say that together we are stronger.
  Prior to 1994 just five states required convicted sex offenders to 
register their address with local law enforcement. Today there are over 
549,000 registered sex offenders in the United States. Unfortunately, 
most of these receive and serve limited sentences and roam unchecked 
and unknown in our communities. Their crimes are heinous and they have 
a high risk of repeating their crimes on innocent children.
  Under this Act, sex offenders and predators will be required to 
register in person, versus mailing in a letter. They will be required 
to wear a tracking device while they are on probation for a first-time 
offense--and wear it for life if they choose to repeat their crimes.
  This Act enables states to offer citizens a searchable, statewide sex 
offender registry that interacts with all other states to provide 
seamless registration and notification across the country.
  The Sex Offender Notification and Registration Act will strengthen 
and unite cities, communities and states in the effort to stop the 
assault on American children. This bill has a companion bill in the 
House, sponsored by Congressman Mark Foley and Congressman Bud Cramer. 
I invite you to join Senator Biden and me as we close the gaping holes 
that keep our children at risk.
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