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U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett Reintroduces Silver Alert Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 22, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), today 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.

Congressman Doggett introduced federal Silver Alert legislation at the request of Bill Cummings and Carlos Higgins of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature, who described the success of the program in Texas. 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. 

Rep. Doggett’s bill is endorsed by: Texas Silver Haired Legislature, United Way-Texas, Elder Justice Coalition, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, American Health Care Association, Assisted Living Federation of America, Child Alert Foundation, National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, National Silver Haired Congress, and Project Lifesaver.