[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H2347-H2348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

  (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, April is National Child Abuse Prevention 
Month. Communities that care about their children and families can and 
do work together to find solutions to tough problems. It is because of 
the partnership of a community in my district and a community in 
another county that I come before you today.
  The Talmud says that he who saves one life saves the world entire. On 
April 13, nine-year-old Amber from Webster, Texas, was abducted and 
sexually assaulted. Within 24 hours after her abduction, Amber was 
found, and the assailant was placed into custody by the Harrison County 
Deputy Sheriff, Claire Martinez. Today, I would like to commend the 
Friendswood Police Department and Deputy Martinez for their great work 
in apprehending the suspect.
  Within minutes after Amber's mother reported the abduction, the 
Webster and Friendswood Police Departments quickly organized themselves 
and responded to the situation. The result is that nine-year-old Amber 
is still alive. If the Friendswood Police Department had not developed 
a procedure for dealing with abductions, the result may have been quite 
different. The response

[[Page H2348]]

by these agencies is commendable, needs to be a model throughout the 
Nation.
  I would ask that Members wear these little blue ribbons today.

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