Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release
March 6, 2007
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
Attorney General McCollum to Meet with U.S. Attorney General Gonzales in Washington , D.C.
~ U.S. Attorney General, State Attorneys General to discuss federal-state partnerships ~
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum will meet today with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to discuss a number of legal and law enforcement issues facing the state of Florida.
“There are a number of critical law enforcement and legal issues facing our state today that call for a cooperative law enforcement approach from both state and federal agencies,” Attorney General McCollum said. “Today’s meeting is a critical part of that process and I look forward to a very thoughtful and deliberative discussion with Attorney General Gonzales.”
Attorney General McCollum traveled to Washington, D.C. for the meeting as part of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) annual Spring Meeting, held this week in Washington, D.C. Forty-six of the nation’s Attorneys General gathered for collective discussions on federal and state approaches to homeland security, consumer protection, gangs, combating illegal drugs, child pornography and issues related to data retention.
“There is a growing need for increased communication and an exchange of information among the fifty states and our federal counterparts as many of the law enforcement issues we face have no finite boundaries,” said Attorney General McCollum. “Cyber-crime is a prime example. Online crimes involving the exploitation of children stretch across state, national and international lines. A cooperative effort between state and federal agencies is the only way to combat this threat to our children and families.”
Last year, Attorney General Gonzales announced the creation of Project Safe Childhood, a program intended to respond to the growing threat of computer-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes committed against children. Attorney General Gonzales noted that as the Internet becomes more accessible, the number of these crimes – including child pornography offenses and "traveler" or enticement crimes – will only continue to grow.
One of the Association’s three national meetings held each year, the Spring Meeting allows Attorneys General to discuss a number of complex legal issues, including challenges for state management of sex offenders, a top priority for Attorney General McCollum. The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) was founded in 1907 to help Attorneys General fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high quality legal services to the states and territorial jurisdictions. The Association fosters interstate cooperation on legal and law enforcement issues, conducts policy research and analysis of issues and facilitates communication between the states’ chief legal officers and all levels of government.