[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 190 (Tuesday, December 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING FLORIDA'S PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP TO FIND FUGITIVES

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                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2009

  Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud a new Public Safety 
Partnership launched in my home state of Florida during this holiday 
season. This unique effort, entitled ``12 Days of Fugitives,'' is an 
innovative public outreach plan with the end goal of helping the state 
and local law enforcement apprehend 12 of Florida's oldest and most 
violent prison escapees.
  The Florida Department of Corrections and Florida Department of Law 
Enforcement are working with the U.S. Marshals Service, local law 
enforcement, and the media on this new initiative. Specifically, 
members of the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association are donating 
space on digital billboards to display a tip line telephone number 
together with pictures of the fugitives. In addition, Florida 
newspapers have committed to feature the fugitives online and in print.
  The idea is to empower the public to come forward with information 
about the whereabouts of these escapees. The most recent escape 
occurred in 2000; others have been on the run for decades.
  Florida has consistently been a pioneer in these types of public 
safety partnerships. From the beginning, the outdoor advertising 
industry was part of the AMBER Alert system in Florida. Now, the 
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children posts AMBER Alerts on 
digital billboards across the country.
  Madam Speaker, protecting our society from violent crime is extremely 
important, and often overlooked during this holiday time. This 
intensive public outreach in the state gives hope to the families and 
friends of the victims of crime that the perpetrators will be caught 
and brought to justice. I commend the Florida Department of Law 
Enforcement, the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Outdoor 
Advertising Association and the media for working together to make 
Florida a safer place to live, work, and visit.

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