STEARNS JOINS PRESIDENT FOR SIGNING OF PATRIOT ACT, WHICH INCLUDES CARGO THEFT PREVENTION

Washington, Mar 9, 2006 - "It's a pleasure to join the President for the signing of the PATRIOT Act Reauthorization, which also includes the provisions of my Cargo Theft Prevention Act," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "One estimate places the loss through cargo theft at $25 billion a year; this crime costs more than all bank robberies, computer piracies, burglaries, and identity thefts combined. Profit from cargo thefts often goes to fund organized crime or terrorist activities, and we know that terrorists can make a lot of money stealing and selling cargo."

For decades, law enforcement officials have called for a national strategy and federal legislation dealing with cargo theft. In response, Stearns first offered the Cargo Theft Prevention Act in 2003. The provisions of his recent bill, H.R. 785, were included in the PATRIOT Act Reauthorization, which was enacted today. Explained Stearns, "These provisions increase the criminal penalties for cargo theft and create an all-inclusive database regarding cargo theft to allow state and local law enforcement to coordinate reports of cargo theft. In addition, cargo theft will be reflected as a separate category in the Uniform Crime Reporting System used by the FBI, enabling the valuable tracking and monitoring of trends in this crime. "