Report From Congress (Wicker Notes Effort At All Levels To Protect Children)

REPORT FROM CONGRESS
By Congressman Roger F. Wicker

WICKER NOTES EFFORT AT ALL LEVELS TO PROTECT CHILDREN

Renewed efforts are under way at all levels of government to protect our children from sexual abuse and other violent crimes and make it tougher for Internet predators to victimize unsuspecting young people.

On July 27th President Bush signed into law the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. The measure expands the national sex offender registry, increases penalties for a number of sex crimes, and provides more personnel to combat child pornography and the exploitation of children through the Internet.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES INVOLVED

Individual states are working more closely with federal authorities to investigate and prosecute crimes perpetrated against children on the Internet. Grants to the states are also making it possible to alert the public quickly about missing children. Local law enforcement officials in north and central Mississippi have been in the news recently for successful sting operations that have apprehended sexual predators seeking to meet underage youths they contacted on the Internet.

From the country roads of north Mississippi to the halls of Congress, these initiatives indicate the seriousness of the problem and our resolve to be aggressive in fighting it. In signing the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act, President Bush said, "By enacting this law, we are sending a message across the country that those who prey on children will be caught, prosecuted, and punished to the fullest extent."

MOST IMPORTANT LEGISLATION

The new law was enacted on the 25th anniversary of the abduction of six-year old Adam Walsh from a shopping mall in Florida. He was found murdered 16 days later. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, founded by Adam's father, John Walsh, called the legislation the "toughest and most important legislation in the past 25 years in helping save children's lives."

The U. S. House of Representatives passed another bill in July aimed at combating Internet predators. The Delete Online Predator Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create a website and issue consumer alerts to inform parents, teachers, and school officials about sexual predators' ability to contact students through chat rooms and social networking Internet sites where personal information is often disclosed. The legislation, which is pending in the Senate, would also require schools and libraries to prevent students from using computers in their facilities to access chat rooms and social networking sites.

STRONG FEDERAL COORDINATION

Earlier this year, the Bush Administration launched Project Childhood Initiative through the Department of Justice. The program offers a more coordinated partnership among federal, state, and local authorities and non-profit organizations whose goal is to protect our children.

The initiative offers more resources and enhanced support in the pursuit of child exploitation crimes over the Internet. Since federal law carries tougher penalties, U.S. attorneys and federal investigative agencies also plan to increase involvement in child pornography and enticement cases to ensure that the worst offenders get the maximum amount of jail time possible.

http://www.house.gov/wicker/Children.htm