There is absolutely no reason why Capitol Hill can't pass a stand-alone nationwide Amber Alert system. The Senate passed just such a bill, but the legislation has been held up in the House, supposedly so that the new law would have additional provisions. And so there has been a lot of talk, a lot of politics, and no new law to protect our most valuable resource, our children.

We agree with Elizabeth Smart's father, just pass the stand-alone now and work on the other provisions later on. Put this vital system nationwide immediately and then worry about the politicking and long-winded speeches that are the standard for new legislation.

The Amber Alert system has already been adopted by 38 states. Since 1997, 49 children have actually been saved, been brought back home to their families, thanks to the Amber Alert. As soon as a child is reported missing, the Amber Alert flashes any known information about the child, the abductors, the car, on highway signs and releases photos and information to the media. Such immediate action is vital, as the National Center for Missing Children advises that the first 24 hours are the most critical in finding an abducted child. After that, the chances for recovery become quite remote.

The safe return of Elizabeth Smart (through photos of her alleged abductor shown on nationwide television on America's Most Wanted) makes it quite clear once again that information disseminated to the public is absolutely invaluable. The eyes and ears of a nation can help bring about what could otherwise be impossible.

Our own Congressman Gary Ackerman is a co-sponsor of the stand-alone nationwide Amber Alert system bill in the House. We implore our good friend Congressman Ackerman, always so responsive to his constituents, to please continue to push, push, push for a nationwide Amber Alert system right now!

Any amount of wasted time --- even wasted hours --- can mean that one child may be lost forever. And just one lost child, just one murdered child, just one abused child, is one child way too many.

Shame on anyone who places any obstacles in the way of a nationwide Amber Alert system that could help bring home one precious child!

- Wendy K. Kreitzman