[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10703-H10704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT A DAY OUGHT
TO BE ESTABLISHED TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE ISSUE OF MISSING PERSONS
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 303) expressing the sense of the House
of Representatives that a day ought to be established to bring
awareness to the issue of missing persons.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 303
Whereas each year tens of thousands of people go missing in
the United States;
Whereas, on any given day, there are as many as 100,000
active missing persons cases in the United States;
Whereas the Missing Persons File of the National Crime
Information Center (NCIC) was implemented in 1975;
Whereas, in 2005, 109,531 persons were reported missing to
law enforcement agencies nationwide, of whom 11,868 were
between the ages of 18 and 20;
Whereas section 204 of the PROTECT Act, known as Suzanne's
Law and passed by Congress on April 10, 2003, modifies
section 3701(a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
5779(a)), so that agencies must enter records into the NCIC
database for all missing persons under the age of 21;
Whereas Kristen's Act (42 U.S.C. 14665), passed in 1999,
has established grants for organizations to, among other
things, track missing persons and provide informational
services to families and the public;
Whereas, according to the NCIC, 48,639 missing persons were
located in 2005, an improvement of 4.2 percent from the
previous year;
Whereas many persons reported missing may be victims of
Alzheimer's disease or other health-related issues, or may be
victims of foul play;
Whereas, regardless of age or circumstances, all missing
persons have families who need support and guidance to endure
the days, months, or years they may spend searching for their
missing loved ones; and
Whereas it is important to applaud the committed efforts of
families, law enforcement agencies, and concerned citizens
who work to locate missing persons and to prevent all forms
of victimization: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that--
(1) a day ought to be established to bring awareness to the
issue of missing persons; and
(2) the people of the United States should be encouraged
to--
(A) observe the day with appropriate programs and
activities; and
(B) support worthy initiatives and increased efforts to
locate missing persons.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
[[Page H10704]]
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might
consume to the sponsor of this resolution, Representative Kirsten
Gillibrand.
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davis for his
support of this resolution and for generously yielding.
I've introduced House Resolution 303 in order to allow all Americans
to honor and reflect on the number of Americans who remain missing, and
to remember their families and loved ones who hope and pray every day
for their safe return.
{time} 1430
This issue is especially significant for my constituents. On March 2,
1998, Suzanne Lyall, a 19-year-old sophomore at SUNY Albany, was
kidnapped and never seen again. This crime captivated the country's
attention and has left a permanent mark on the community that I serve.
Over 9 years later, her case remains unsolved.
Tragically, similar situations occur every day in America. On any
given day, there are as many as 100,000 active missing-person cases in
the United States. In addition, missing-adult cases often go unreported
in the media. Even though the first few days after a crime is committed
are the most critical in solving a case, there can be significant
delays in beginning the search for someone over the age of 18 who has
gone missing. Sadly, in New York there are over 3,500 missing-person
cases, including nearly 1,400 cases involving New Yorkers over the age
of 18.
Furthermore, the statistics show that a disproportionate number of
adults reported missing are college-aged women. Currently in New York
State, over two-thirds of the college-aged individuals reported missing
are female, and this group also makes up approximately half of all
missing adults. It is important that the Federal Government partners
with local law enforcement to protect young women as they attend
college or enter the workforce.
I am honored to represent Suzanne's parents, Doug and Mary, who are
leaders in New York and around the country in bringing attention to
crimes involving young adults. They have used their personal nightmare
to assist other parents and families who have had loved ones go
missing. They founded the Center for Hope, an organization with the
mission of providing resources to educate, assist, and support families
and friends to cope with the disappearance of a loved one. The center
works with the New York State and Federal Government to improve our
laws in order to prevent future abductions.
In 1983, President Reagan established May 25 as the National Missing
Children's Day, and last May Americans marked the 25th National Missing
Children's Day. This important day is set aside to draw attention to
children who are still missing, whether they have been missing for a
few days or for decades.
Yet a day has not yet been set aside to remember those Americans who
are over the age of 18 and are missing from their families. With over
100,000 Americans unaccounted for, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers,
sons, and daughters, a day must be established to remind the public of
those missing and our country's dedication to solving their cases and,
hopefully, reuniting them with families and loved ones.
In 2001, former Governor George Pataki established April 6, Suzanne's
birthday, as the State's Missing Persons Day in New York. It is my hope
that this date can also become the national day of remembrance for all
missing Americans. This day will allow Americans to appropriately
remember the victims, their families, and the efforts of local law
enforcement and the community.
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in unanimously
approving this resolution and that the President will soon establish a
day to bring awareness to the issue of missing persons.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
House Resolution 303 establishes a day to bring awareness to the
issues surrounding missing persons. I congratulate the sponsor on this
bill.
Each year tens of thousands of people go missing in the United
States. Probably there isn't a day goes by that some newspaper doesn't
report either a child or adult that is missing. It is a national crisis
affecting thousands of families. I think these families struggle
through the loss and pain of losing their loved ones and often need
support and guidance during the search for their missing friends or
family members.
Through effective legislation, grants have been provided to our
organizations tasked with tracking missing persons and provide much-
needed support services to families. Legislation has also ensured that
agencies are able to keep updated databases on missing persons. It's
important that we take time to recognize and applaud the work of law
enforcement agencies, concerned citizens, and, of course, the families
who unite together to find their loved ones and support prevention
efforts.
I urge the passage of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.
Res. 303, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a day ought to be established to bring awareness
to the issue of missing persons.
H. Res. 303, which has 58 cosponsors, was introduced by
Representative Kirsten Gillibrand on April 17, 2007. H. Res. 303 was
reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by voice
vote.
Mr. Speaker, reports of missing persons have increased sixfold in the
past 25 years, from roughly 150,000 people in 1980 to about 900,000
this year. The CourtTV's Crime Library estimates that 2,300 people are
reported missing every day in America.
I support establishing a day to bring awareness to the issue of
missing persons. We should all reflect to remember the victims, their
families, and local law enforcement and community volunteers who help
search for missing individuals. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, even
as we speak, in my city in the area where I live, there is a young
woman who has been missing now for several days, and it has created a
tremendous outpouring of empathy and sympathy on the part of the people
for her parents and other family members who are searching diligently,
hoping and praying that she will be found safely.
So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Kirsten
Gillibrand, for introducing this legislation and urge its swift
passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 303.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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