[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 297 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 297

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 20, 2009.
Whereas May 25, 2009, will be the 27th National Missing Children's Day;
Whereas National Missing Children's Day honors our Nation's obligation to locate 
        and recover missing children by prompting parents, guardians, and other 
        trusted-adult role models to make child safety an utmost priority;
Whereas in the United States nearly 800,000 children are reported missing a 
        year, more than 58,000 children are abducted by non-family members, and 
        more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day;
Whereas Congress's efforts to provide resources, training, and technical 
        assistance has increased the capabilities of State and local law 
        enforcement to find children and to return them home safely;
Whereas the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz served as the impetus for 
        the creation of National Missing Children's Day, first proclaimed in 
        1983; and
Whereas Etan's photo was distributed nationwide and appeared in media globally, 
        and the powerful image came to represent the anguish of thousands of 
        searching families: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes National Missing Children's Day and encourages all 
        Americans to join together to plan events in communities across America 
        to raise public awareness about the issue of missing children and the 
        need to address this national problem,
            (2) recognizes that one of the most important tools for law 
        enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date, good 
        quality photograph and urges all parents and guardians to follow this 
        important precaution, and
            (3) acknowledges that National Missing Children's Day should remind 
        Americans not to forget the children who are still missing and not to 
        waver in the effort to reunite them with their families.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.