    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 27, 2003]
    [Page 307]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Amber Alert System
    Legislation
    March 27, 2003

        As we take steps abroad to make the world a safer place for all,
    there are important steps we can take at home to make America a safer
    place for children.
        I commend the House for acting today on legislation that will help
    expand, enhance, and coordinate the successful Amber Alert system across
    our Nation. I look forward to legislation reaching my desk as quickly as
    possible so that I may sign it into law.
        The prevention and investigation of child abductions will always be
    a top priority in my administration. That is why my administration began
    taking steps last year to expand and improve the Amber Alert system,
    including allocating existing Federal resources to this effort and
    appointing a Federal coordinator within the Department of Justice.
        Protecting our children is a shared priority for the American people
    and Federal, State, and local authorities. We must use every resource
    possible to find and safely return missing children to their families
    and their homes, just as we will continue to use every tool within the
    law to vigorously prosecute and severely punish those who would do our
    children harm.