We live in a Nation, which like many others, is concerned about the existence of crime in its communities. Fortunately, local citizenshave joined together to fight crime through the “Crime Stoppers' program. The typical Crime Stoppers program (in some regions also know as Crime Solvers,” “Crime Line” and similar names), finds out from law enforcement which felony crimes are unsolved and need citizen assistance. The Crime Stoppers organization, a charitable non-profit corporation, then raises funds and offers cash rewards to persons who through anonymous telephone calls provide the information which can be corroborated by independent investigation by law enforcement agencies who then obtain arrest warrants and criminal indictments.

The Crime Stoppers program was originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico by concerned citizens in September of 1976. Today, there are nearly 1,000 Crime Stoppers programs in the United States. Conservative figures reflect the success of Crime Stoppers' effort as having cleared in excess of 1 million major crimes; paying out more than 70 million dollars in rewards; recovering more than $1.75 billion dollars worth of property; more than $5 billion dollars worth of seized drugs; and a conviction rate of approximately 96%.

Obviously, Crime Stoppers has found the correct lineup of personnel for solving crimes: the combined efforts of private citizens who serve on the Crime Stoppers boards, the public service donations of the news media who publicize the reward offers, and the law enforcement agencies who develop the raw data supplied by Crime Stoppers informants. Likewise, Crime Stoppers has also discovered the correct formula for solving crimes: media publicity; cash rewards; and promise of anonymity.

My administration firmly believes that the citizens of this nation should have the right to safely communicate crime-solving information to law enforcement officials anonymously through the Crime Stoppers program in order to make their communities safer environments in which they may live. During this month of December, we pause to recognize and praise the work of all Crime Stoppers organization, the citizen volunteers, news media participants, and law enforcement coordinators who make the Crime Stoppers program so successful.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George W. Bush, President of the United State of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and law of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2005 as National Crime Stoppers Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by demonstrating our respect and gratitude for all those who devotedly and unselfishly work to help our local, stat3e, and national law enforcement officials solve crimes through the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip cash reward program, and by taking responsible actions to protect our communities against criminals who might otherwise go about unknown and unpunished.