WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid today delivered the following remarks in the U.S. Senate, lending his support to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, important legislation that will help protect America’s children against the dangers posed by sex offenders. The text of Senator Reid’s remarks, as prepared, is below.

The Senate is about to take an important step to improve the safety of our nation’s children. Very shortly we will pass the “Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,” also know as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this significant legislation.

The Senate passed an earlier version of this bill by unanimous consent on May 4, nearly two months ago. Since then, Senators Specter and Leahy have conducted bipartisan negotiations with the House, which had passed a different version.

Today, I am pleased to say that negotiations have resulted in a strong bill that will soon pass both chambers and become law. I appreciate the willingness of all members to put aside unrelated controversial issues so that we could focus on the core purpose of this bill –- protecting children.

Next Thursday, the 27th of July, is the 25th anniversary of the abduction and murder of the six-year old, Adam Walsh. Since then, the work of Adam’s father, John Walsh, demonstrates that a single person can make a difference in our country and our world.

Following the tragic event involving their son, John and Revé Walsh founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. John Walsh’s TV program, “America’s Most Wanted,'’ has led to the apprehension of thousands of criminals. And now John Walsh has been the driving force behind this bill.

The legislation establishes a national sex offender registry which will make it easier for local law enforcement to track sex offenders and prevent repeat offenses. The bill also authorizes much-needed grants to help local law enforcement agencies establish and integrate sex offender registry systems.

My home state of Nevada has been a leader in this movement. Our state recently made changes to improve the accuracy and reliability of the Nevada registry requirements. This federal bill will strengthen those efforts.

Donna Coleman, past president of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance based in Henderson, Nevada was instrumental in getting our state laws changed. She is another example of how one person can make a difference, and I applaud her work.

Not all states have been as vigilant as Nevada, and that is a problem when sex offenders cross state lines. The bill before us will establish uniform rules for the information sex offenders are required to report and when they are required to report it. It will also give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to enforce these requirements.

A number of Senators have been leaders in this legislative effort. In addition to Chairman Specter and Ranking Member Leahy, I appreciate the hard work of Senators Biden, Dorgan, Hatch, Kennedy and others. I thank the Majority Leader for making this bill a priority. I hope the House will follow suit and send this bill to the President for his signature without delay.