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OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores joined representatives from the U.S. Postal Service in a First Day of Issue Ceremony for the new AMBER Alert stamp. The ceremony, held on May 25 in honor of Missing Children's Day (see related story), took place in Arlington, Texas, home of Amber Hagerman, whose tragic 1996 abduction and murder inspired the creation of the program that bears her name.

Susan Plonkey, Vice President of Customer Service for the U.S. Postal Service was the dedicating official and unveiled the new commemorative stamp. The goal of the 39-cent stamp, which features an illustration of a reunited mother and child, is to educate the American public and help to heighten public awareness of the AMBER Alert program.

Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, a leading investigator during the Amber Hagerman investigation and co-founder of the AMBER Alert, detailed the local history of AMBER Alert. He was followed by Donna Norris, Amber's mother, who thanked the network of people throughout the nation who have participated in the AMBER Alert effort to safeguard the lives of so many children.

Administrator Flores concluded the ceremony by acknowledging the significant accomplishments of the AMBER Alert plan. In February 2005, Hawaii became the 50th state to complete its statewide AMBER Alert plan, creating a network of plans nationwide. Twenty-seven regional and 37 local plans also have been established. As of May 2006, more than 260 abducted children have been recovered as a result of the AMBER Alert program. Mr. Flores commended the strong support of law enforcement professionals across the country who generously give of their time and efforts to the AMBER Alert program. He also emphasized the Department of Justice's strong commitment to keeping the nation's children safe.

For more information, visit the Office of Justice Programs' AMBER Alert Web site: www.amberalert.gov.