Congressman Michael Bilirakis Congressman Michael Bilirakis.  Proudly representing the people of the 9th Congressional District of Florida
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Protecting Children and Local Communities

March 14, 2006
 
The State of Florida was rocked last year by the high-profile abductions and sexual assaults of Jessica Lunsford and Sarah Lunde. Unfortunately, such heinous crimes against children are not unique to Florida. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), today there are more than 500,000 convicted sex offenders living in the United States. Of these, approximately 150,000 are missing and have failed to register in communities as required under current law. We do not know where they live, work or go to school.

Clearly, something needs to change. It is absolutely deplorable that anyone would kidnap or abduct a child for their own evil purposes. These devastating crimes against the most innocent and vulnerable of our society must not be tolerated and must, when they occur, be severely punished.

The House of Representatives recently approved legislation designed to protect our nation’s children from sexual predators. The Children’s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act would ensure that sex offenders register and keep current where they reside, work and attend school. The bill also includes provisions to improve verification systems for sex offender information; ensure that states notify each other when a sex offender moves from state to state; protect foster children from sexual abuse and exploitation; and give states and local school districts more tools to protect children from harm in schools.

Sexual assaults and abductions are not the only problems plaguing our communities and our children, however. Gang violence has risen sharply in the United States in recent years and is no longer confined to the so-called "inner city." The DOJ estimates than more than 25,000 gangs and over 750,000 gang members are active across the United States today. Major cities, small towns and rural areas alike have been subjected to violent gang activity, and for many young people, gangs offer an alluring opportunity to "belong" to a group of their peers.

The Children’s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act also would strengthen efforts to assist local law enforcement in targeting and prosecuting violent criminals who are associated with street gangs. The bill would authorize funding for joint federal, state, and local gang investigation and prosecution efforts and create stricter penalties for gang members convicted of violent activities.

Our nation’s children and communities deserve the strongest protection possible. Children should not have to fear the atrocities being committed by sexual predators and violent gang members. The Children’s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act is an important step in our nation’s fight to protect them. 

 

   
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