[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBRANCE ON MOTHER'S DAY

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2003

  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the Mother's Day 
weekend, I rise today to remember the mothers of missing children, or 
mothers whose children's lives have tragically ended in violence. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with them.
  Most of you remember the story of the two Oregon City girls who 
disappeared on their way to school last year: Ashley Pond in January 
and Miranda Gaddis in March.
  Months later after a lengthy search by law enforcement and the 
community, the entire Nation was horrified as the FBI and Oregon City 
Police dug up the backyard of a home neighboring their apartment 
complex to discover the girls' bodies.
  Ashley and Miranda were just 13 years old when their precious young 
lives ended in violence. I think of them often.
  Throughout the last year, my staff and I have gotten to know Michelle 
Duffey, the mother of Miranda. She has survived horrors unimaginable 
except to those who have lived through this kind of terrible tragedy 
themselves. Less than 1 year after learning of her daughter's fate, 
Michelle is trying to rebuild a life for herself and her family.
  Just consider for a moment, that throughout her grieving process, 
Michelle has been recognized in the grocery store and on the street. 
She continues to be called upon for numerous media interviews. This 
sort of notoriety must be very, very hard for her and her family to 
endure. And yet Michelle has taken that attention, gained some strength 
from the community's support, and has used that courageously to 
advocate on behalf of missing children and their families. I admire her 
fortitude. And I greatly appreciate her public service.
  I will continue to stand by Michelle Duffey in her efforts to prevent 
this type of tragedy from happening to someone else's child.
  Each year, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing according to 
the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and 
Delinquency Prevention. This includes children who run away, who are 
abducted by family members and the most serious and deadly kidnappings, 
those by strangers. I am proud to be a member of the Missing Children's 
Caucus that supported the passage of the national AMBER Alert plan, 
that takes important steps to prevent such tragedies as happened in 
Oregon City. No legislation will ever prevent 100 percent of the 
atrocious crimes perpetrated against our Nation's children, but it is 
up to us to try. Michelle Duffey has been one of its strongest and best 
advocates.
  This Sunday, I will remember Miranda and Ashley's mothers in my 
thoughts as we honor our Nation's mothers. I ask you to keep in mind 
all the mothers across America who are missing their children at this 
time, and to offer your thoughts and prayers for them and their 
children.

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