[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6678-6679]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL AMBER ALERT LEGISLATION

  (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include therein 
extraneous material.)
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read to the House an open 
letter directed to the House of Representatives signed by Elizabeth 
Smart, Lois Smart and Ed Smart.

       Today, Elizabeth was introduced to the Amber Alert when she 
     asked about a videotape in my office. After watching the 
     coverage, Elizabeth asked why the legislation has not passed 
     when it saved so many children's lives. I could not give her 
     an answer!
       After a lengthy conversation about how the Amber Alert has 
     been politicized, she asked me if there was anything she 
     could do to help pass it. We decided to draft this letter.
       As you know, I can't express enough how our children can't 
     wait another day for the National Amber Alert to be signed 
     into law by President Bush. Please, please, please pass the 
     stand-alone Amber Alert legislation NOW. As soon as you do, I 
     will be there to celebrate and then go to work with you on 
     lobbying the Senate to pass other pending issues for our 
     children.

  I will submit the remainder of the letter for the Record, signed by 
Elizabeth Smart, Ed Smart and Lois Smart.

                                                   March 18, 2003.
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC 20515.
       An Open Letter to the House of Representatives: Thank you 
     very much for your continued support and warm wishes

[[Page 6679]]

     over the past nine months. We especially appreciate all of 
     the representatives who are working together so diligently to 
     pass the National Amber Alert Legislation.
       Today, Elizabeth was introduced to the Amber Alert when she 
     asked about a video tape in my office. After watching the 
     coverage, Elizabeth asked why the legislation has not passed 
     when it saves so many children's lives. I could not give her 
     an answer!
       After a lengthy conversation about how the Amber Alert has 
     been politicized, she asked me if there was anything she 
     could do to help it pass. We decided to draft this letter.
       As you know, I can't express enough how our children can't 
     wait another day for the National Amber Alert to be signed 
     into law by President Bush. Please, please, please pass the 
     stand alone Amber Alert legislation NOW. As soon as you do, I 
     will be there to celebrate and then will go to work with you 
     on lobbying the Senate to pass other pending issues for our 
     children.
       I wish to apologize to anyone who was offended by my 
     excitement last week. You cannot comprehend the joy and 
     adulation of having your child return. The Amber Alert will 
     make this a reality for countless families. Please don't 
     underestimate the immediacy and power of this legislation!
       This is your opportunity to show your leadership for our 
     children. We look forward to seeing you soon.
           Sincerely,
     Edward Smart.
     Lois Smart.
     Elizabeth Smart.

                          ____________________