February 2009
Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), last month reintroduced the
National Silver Alert Act (H.R. 632), legislation to help law
enforcement quickly locate missing seniors. The National Silver Alert
Act passed the House of Representatives last September.
“Coordination saves lives,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a senior member of
the House Ways and Means Committee. “Reuniting missing seniors with
their families requires a rapid, united response. What’s missing from
efforts to locate missing seniors is sufficient federal support – my
bill closes the gap. With the National Silver Alert Act, communities
can use and build on existing resources to help keep our seniors safe.”
As the population of the United States ages, more seniors are likely
to benefit from Silver Alert. “Our seniors, who have worked a lifetime
and raised a family, need our special help when they can no longer help
themselves,” said Rep. Doggett. “When it comes to the safety of
missing seniors, there is no silver bullet, but a good start is a
National Silver Alert.”
Silver Alert is a public notification system, similar to Amber
Alert, that is triggered by the report of a missing senior with
Alzheimer’s or other mental impairment. Silver Alert uses a wide array
of media outlets – such as radio, television, and highway signs – to
broadcast information about missing persons in order to aid in their
return.
Since the Texas Silver Alert program began in September 2007, 77
alerts have been issued, 71 seniors have been recovered successfully,
with 21 of those recoveries directly attributable to Silver Alert.
The National Silver Alert Act will create within the Department of
Justice the position of Silver Alert Coordinator, who will oversee the
implementation of the Silver Alert System. The Coordinator will have
powers similar to those of the Amber Alert Coordinator: to set
voluntary guidelines and monitor state Silver Alert programs. The
Silver Alert Coordinator will consult with such agencies as the Federal
Communication Commission, the Department of Transportation, and the
Administration on Aging to develop best practices for Silver Alert
programs.
ALFA signed on to the legislation as an original co-sponsoring
organization last year, and continues to advocate for the bill’s
passage and implementation.
Click here to write your representative in support of this potentially life-saving legislation.
