    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 15 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
    [Pages 424-425]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on Congressional Passage of Amber Alert System Legislation

    April 10, 2003

        I applaud the House and Senate for passing bipartisan legislation
    that provides us with additional tools to prevent, investigate, and
    prosecute violent crimes against our children. This legislation builds
    upon the steps my administration took last year to expand, enhance, and
    coordinate the successful Amber Alert system across the Nation. The bill
    also strengthens child pornography laws.
        The safety and well-being of our children is a shared priority for
    all Americans and Federal, State, and local authorities. We must use
    every available resource to find and safely return missing children to
    their families and their homes, and we must use every available tool to
    vigorously prosecute and severely punish those who would do our children
    harm. I look forward to signing this important legislation into law as
    soon as possible.

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