[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        12TH ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 1995
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 12th annual 
observance of National Missing Children's Day and to recognize Child 
Quest International, Inc., a San Jose based nonprofit organization, for 
all of their tireless efforts on behalf of missing children. As of this 
year, Child Quest International has assisted in the recovery of 1,016 
missing children.
  More than 1,000,000 children are reported missing in the United 
States each year and between 20,000 and 50,000 of those remain missing 
for more than 1 year. Child Quest International was founded in 1990 and 
formed to protect and recover missing, abused, and exploited children. 
Child Quest International works to successfully reunite missing 
children with their families and to provide support and referral 
services to children who have been abused and exploited.
  Child Quest International assists families 24 hours a day, 365 days a 
year through a nationwide toll-free number. Its caseworkers all have 
criminal justice backgrounds with the expertise to investigate cases 
and provide technical assistance and counseling to families. They have 
a worldwide photo distribution network over which they can distribute 
posters and flyers. They are able to do mass and direct mailings and 
utilize mass media such as television, radio, newspapers, billboards, 
and bus signs. Child Quest International differs from other nonprofit 
organizations, in that it also utilizes new technologies such as 
computer information networks and computer digitized photographs.
  Child Quest International also provides support and referral services 
for families worldwide in the following areas: abused and exploited 
children, Grandparents' rights, and missing adults. They provide 
mediation services for parents and children and referrals for 
counseling and therapy. Child Quest International is also very active 
in education and prevention through TV and radio programs, public 
service announcements, presentations at schools, service clubs, and 
community events, and such services as the S.T.O.P. kidnapping program.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Child Quest International for 
its dedication to the protection and recovery of missing, abused, and 
exploited children on this 12th annual observance of National Missing 
Children's Day.


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