WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump signed the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act into law. Congressman Biggs, the sponsor of the House bill; Speaker of the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, LoRenzo Bates (Nenahnezad, Newcomb, San Juan, T’iis Tsoh Sikaad, Tse’Daa’Kaan, Upper Fruitland); Ms. Pamela Foster, mother of Ashlynne Mike; John F. Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; and Jim Walters with the National Criminal Justice Training Center issued the following statements:
“After many months of dedicated work by the families of victims, advocates, and my colleagues, the President signed this life-saving policy for children in Indian country. All children should be protected by the AMBER Alert program, and I am pleased that this bipartisan bill received an overwhelming amount of support in Congress and across the country. I am grateful for Senator John McCain’s efforts to champion this legislation in the Senate, and for Ms. Pamela Foster’s tireless work to advocate in memory of her daughter, Ashlynne. Ashlynne’s memory lives on with this new law, and her family has ensured that her death would not be in vain.”– Congressman Andy Biggs
“Today, the Navajo Nation is very grateful for the support of this bill that will ultimately help safeguard our children. I am very thankful to the parents of Ashylnne Mike, my Council colleagues, Congressman Biggs, Senator McCain, and many others who dedicated their time and resources to making this bill become law.” – Speaker LoRenzo Bates
“I want to thank President Trump for signing into law the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018. This is great news for Native American children and their families across our country. This would not have been possible without the work done by Congressman Biggs, Senator McCain, and the many members of Congress who fought hard to create a law that protects Native American children and gives their families the resources of the AMBER Alert program. Thank you to all who have taken a stand to protect our children.” – Ms. Pamela Foster, mother of Ashlynne Mike
“At the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, we know that AMBER Alerts are often critical in the safe recovery of an abducted child. The Amber Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017 will help improve and lead to the expansion of the AMBER Alert system on Native American reservations, and we were proud to support this important piece of legislation and are pleased that the President has now signed it into law. As always, we thank all the bill’s sponsors—Representatives Andy Biggs and Kristi Noem along with Senator John McCain—for their leadership and dedication to the safety of our Nation’s children.”– John F. Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
“It is a great day for tribal communities across the United States. With the signing of this law, the President and Congress have taken a huge step forward in providing a process for tribes to partner with their state and regional AMBER Alert plans, providing much-needed resources in the aftermath of an abduction. None of this would have happened without the courage and tenacity of Pamela Foster, mother of 11-year old Ashlynne Mike, who was abducted and murdered on the Navajo Nation in 2016. Ms. Foster, Congressman Andy Biggs, Senator John McCain, and Members of Congress have fought hard to make this law a reality and to save other Native American families from the tragedy of an abducted child.” – Jim Walters, National Criminal Justice Training Center
