Double Up

In a new bill this week, President Bush reauthorized the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children through 2013 while also doubling the budget of the organization to $40 million a year. The center is one of the keystone organization to help bring home missing children safely.

The measure passed through the Senate unanimously, in the House it passed with a 408 to 3 vote. “The funding we have provided will increase resources for law enforcement to capture, prosecute and incarcerate the worst of criminals that work to harm our children," U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson said. Previously the center received $20 million a year. The new bill touts several improvements that will allow the Center to better coordinate with Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. A new branch, the National Emergency Child Locator Center, will be established to help find children in times of natural disasters.

The article also quotes some very positive facts, such as the great stat that 97 percent of children reported missing are found and the center has seen the recovery rate of missing children increase 35 percent in the last 18 years. With law enforcement working together at all levels, missing children have a better chance of being returned.