[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 19, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SAFE RETURN OF MIRANDA GADDIS AND ASHLEY POND

  (Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today for 
the fourth time to again plead for the safe return of two missing girls 
from my district, Miranda Gaddis and Ashley Pond.
  Those who saw the May 23 People magazine cover story on the plight of 
these girls surely understand the pain and anguish the families of the 
girls are facing, and also realize that Oregon City, as any small 
community would be, has been changed drastically by the tragedy.
  Unfortunately, these types of abductions are not as rare as we would 
like. While the vast majority of missing children are due to those who 
have gotten lost, run away, or been abducted by a parent embroiled in a 
custody battle, roughly 4,400 are taken each year by nonfamily members 
who often release them a short time later.
  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says parents 
should urge children to remember three steps: No, go, and tell.
  They should know it is okay to resist adults and make noise. They 
should run away if they can; and if they break loose, they can help 
identify their abductors by remembering details and telling a trusted 
adult.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to protect America's children; and if anyone has 
any information about Miranda and Ashley, please contact the local FBI 
office.

                          ____________________