[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 171 (Saturday, November 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2406-E2407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SAFE HOMES: CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, a child abduction is every parent's worst 
nightmare. Yet all too often, we hear chilling stories of boys and 
girls taken from their rightful guardians; stolen by strangers or even 
by members of their family. Today, I want to recognize a program in my 
district that is working to prevent these awful occurrences.
  In Weirton, volunteers have organized an initiative that is called 
WINK: Watching Its

[[Page E2407]]

Neighborhood Kids. This two-part program is bringing the community 
together to help keep children safe--and to help recover them if they 
should ever be lost or taken.
  Under the WINK Program, safe houses are being established across the 
city. These are homes and businesses, screened by the Weirton police, 
that volunteer to open their doors to children who are lost, hurt or 
threatened. The goal is to eventually have one on every block.
  The approved safe houses are given a logo sign to post in their 
windows. They also are given information on helping children in danger. 
Children are told about the program in school, and parents are 
encouraged to show them where safe houses can be found in the 
neighborhood.
  Mr. Speaker, this kind of vigilance and communication is a good way 
to protect our children. But sometimes, no matter how careful the 
precautions, young people are lost or missing. That is why the second 
part of this program is vitally important as well.
  In addition to the safe houses, WINK has established a child 
identification program. It sponsors free registration events across the 
community. Parents bring in their children for digital photos, for 
fingerprints or footprints, and for a DNA mouth swab. All of these 
items--these key identification tools--are given to parents to take 
home, and keep close at hand.
  Experts tell us that when a child is missing, an immediate response 
is the best response. It helps to increase the odds of a successful 
recovery. Thanks to the child I.D. program, parents have up-to-date 
information ready to give to police should the unthinkable happen.
  Mr. Speaker, the safety of children is a concern that we all share. 
Today, I am pleased to salute a special group of people who truly take 
this concern to heart, and have channeled it into real community 
action. I ask the House to join me in recognizing the caring volunteers 
who are behind Weirton's watching its neighborhood kids.

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