[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 76 (Monday, May 18, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5679-H5681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 297) recognizing May 25, 2009, as National 
Missing Children's Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 297

       Whereas May 25, 2009, will be the 27th National Missing 
     Children's Day;
       Whereas National Missing Children's Day honors our Nation's 
     obligation to locate and recover missing children by 
     prompting parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role 
     models to make child safety an utmost priority;
       Whereas in the United States nearly 800,000 children are 
     reported missing a year, more than 58,000 children are 
     abducted by non-family members, and more than 2,000 children 
     are reported missing every day;
       Whereas Congress's efforts to provide resources, training, 
     and technical assistance has increased the capabilities of 
     State and local law enforcement to find children and to 
     return them home safely;
       Whereas the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz 
     served as the impetus for the creation of National Missing 
     Children's Day, first proclaimed in 1983; and
       Whereas Etan's photo was distributed nationwide and 
     appeared in media globally, and the powerful image came to 
     represent the anguish of thousands of searching families: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes National Missing Children's Day and 
     encourages all Americans to join together to plan events in 
     communities across America to raise public awareness about 
     the issue of missing children and the need to address this 
     national problem,
       (2) recognizes that one of the most important tools for law 
     enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-
     to-date, good quality photograph and urges all parents and 
     guardians to follow this important precaution, and
       (3) acknowledges that National Missing Children's Day 
     should remind Americans not to forget the children who are 
     still missing and not to waver in the effort to reunite them 
     with their families.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 297 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 297, which 
recognizes May 25, 2009, as the 27th National Missing Children's Day, 
and urges everyone to do what they can to prevent the tragedy of a 
missing child.
  In the late 1970s, a succession of high-profile missing children 
cases helped heighten the awareness and underline the seriousness of 
child victimization. When Etan Patz went missing on his way to school 
in 1979, the first major

[[Page H5680]]

national media campaign surrounding a missing child took place. The 
considerable media attention and comprehensive search helped highlight 
the problem of child abduction nationwide.
  Etan's case and others helped expose a flaw in the system. At that 
time, there was no national response system in place to coordinate 
State and local cooperation or a central mechanism to support searching 
families. In 1983, May 25 was proclaimed National Missing Children's 
Day, and a nationwide movement was born. May 25 was chosen because it 
is the anniversary of Etan's disappearance.
  More than 2,000 children are reported missing every day, but strides 
have been made to change this disturbing statistic. Programs such as 
the AMBER Alert program, which notifies law enforcement officials and 
the public of child abduction cases, have done a lot to help return 
missing children to their families. To date, 443 children have been 
recovered because of the AMBER Alert program. Each May, we reflect on 
missing children, and we renew our efforts to reunite those young 
people with their families.
  National Missing Children's Day is an opportunity to remind families 
of the importance of maintaining up-to-date photographs of their 
children and to encourage everyone to give their full attention to the 
photographs and posters of missing children. Anyone can be a hero and 
offer the tip that helps return children to their families. Protecting 
young people is one of our Nation's top priorities.
  On May 25, Madam Speaker, we will pause to remember the children 
whose lives have been lost. We will celebrate those who have been 
reunited with their families, and we will renew our effort to continue 
searching for children who continue to be missing.
  Madam Speaker, once again, I express my support for National Missing 
Children's Day, and I thank Representative Biggert for bringing this 
resolution to the floor. I do urge my colleagues to support this 
important resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 297, 
recognizing May 25, 2009, as National Missing Children's Day. In our 
country, every year, hundreds of thousands of children are abducted or 
go missing. Today, more missing children come home safely than ever 
before, but there is still work to be done.
  First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, National Missing 
Children's Day honors the work being conducted on a daily basis 
throughout the U.S. to locate and to recover missing children by 
prompting parents, guardians and other trusted adult role models to 
make child safety an utmost priority.
  In 1979, 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared. Etan's photo appeared in 
the media across the Nation and around the world. His image came to 
represent the distress of thousands of families searching for their 
missing children. This tragedy served as the motivation for the 
establishment of National Missing Children's Day.
  In the United States, more than 2,000 children are reported missing 
every day. Nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year, and 
more than 58,000 children are abducted by non-family members. Too many 
children do not make it home, and many more continue to be victimized 
by acts of violence. Children are the most victimized segment of our 
society, and crimes committed against children of all ages are the most 
underreported of any victim category.
  Every day, local, State and Federal law enforcement are working 
diligently in an effort to find children and to reunite them with their 
families. In June 2008, President Bush signed the Protecting Our 
Children Comes First Act into law. The law reauthorized the Missing and 
Exploited Children's Program under the Missing Children's Assistance 
Act. Our reauthorization efforts provided resources, training and 
technical assistance in order to assist in increasing the capabilities 
of State and local law enforcement to locate missing children.
  The recognition of May 25, 2009, as National Missing Children's Day 
serves to remind us that we still have work to do to reunite families 
and to ensure that parents, families, neighbors, and law enforcement 
work together to locate all missing children. For this reason, I stand 
in support of this resolution. I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois 
(Mrs. Biggert) for introducing House Resolution 297. I ask for my 
colleagues' support.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Does the gentleman from Kentucky have further speakers?
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back.
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, the impact of missing children on those 
children and their families is obviously immeasurable, and it is 
important for us to continue that unfinished business that needs to be 
accomplished here in this country so as to recognize the missing 
children situation for the gravity that it poses. For that, I believe 
strongly that we should support this resolution and recognize our 
missing children through a day of observance.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 297, recognizing May 25, 2009, as National Missing 
Children's Day.
  On May 25, 1979, 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared somewhere on the 
two blocks between his SoHo apartment to the West Broadway bus stop. 
Despite a massive search effort and international media exposure, Etan 
has never been found. His image has come to represent the anguish of 
thousands of families who are still searching for their missing 
children.
  In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared May 25 National Missing 
Children's Day. Doing so has provided an annual reminder of the 
disappearance of Etan and countless other children whose whereabouts 
have yet to be discovered.
  Today, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year in the 
United States and more than 2,000 children are reported missing every 
day. Children continue to be the most victimized segment of our society 
and crimes committed against children of all ages are the most 
underreported of any victim category.
  In December 2007, the House of Representatives passed a bill to 
reauthorize the Missing and Exploited Children's program under the 
Missing Children's Assistance Act. I would like to urge my colleagues 
to join me in supporting full funding for the invaluable programs 
authorized by this legislation. Our efforts here in Congress provide 
resources, training, and technical assistance that increase the 
capabilities of State and local law enforcement to locate missing 
children.
  It is a shame that, 30 years after Etan's disappearance, thousands of 
children continue to be abducted or go missing in our country. While 
more missing children come home safely today than ever before, the 
recognition of National Missing Children's Day serves to remind us of 
the unfinished work we have to do to reunite families and protect the 
most vulnerable among us. I ask for my colleagues' support of this 
important resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE -of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 297, ``Recognizing May 25, 2009, as National Missing 
Children's Day.'' I would like to thank my colleague Representative 
Judy Biggert for introducing this resolution, as well as the co-
sponsors, Representatives Leonard Lance, Ted Poe, Bart Stupak, Zoe 
Lofgren, Thomas Rooney, and Frank Wolf.
  I support this important resolution, because there are few things 
that are as frightening to a parent as the prospect of the losing, 
kidnapping, or murder of their child. Far too many Americans see these 
fears materialize. In the United States nearly 800,000 children are 
reported missing a year, more than 58,000 children are abducted by non-
family members, and more than 2,000 children are reported missing every 
day.
  It is for these families that Congress has in years past--as it does 
today--recognized National Missing Children's Day. If passed, this 
would mark the 27th time this Congress has marked a day in May, in 
honor of our Nation's obligation to locate and recover missing children 
by prompting parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role models to 
make child safety an utmost priority.
  National Missing Children's Day first began in 1979, with the 
disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz. This New York City event served 
as the impetus for the creation of National Missing Children's Day to 
be first proclaimed in 1983. Etan's photo was distributed nationwide 
and appeared in media globally, and the powerful image came to 
represent the anguish of thousands of families who found themselves 
searching for their loved ones.

  This day brings serious problems to the forefront of our Nation's 
thoughts. It is from this increased awareness, Congress has put forward 
efforts--to provide resources, training, and technical assistance--
which have increased the capabilities of State and local law

[[Page H5681]]

enforcement to find children and to return them home safely.
  For these reasons, I join my colleagues in recognizing National 
Missing Children's Day. One of the most important tools for law 
enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date, 
good quality photograph. I support the resolution, as it urges all 
parents and guardians to follow this important precaution.
  I also join in encouraging all Americans to plan events in 
communities across America to raise public awareness about the issue of 
missing children and the need to address this national problem. 
Commemoration of National Missing Children's Day should remind 
Americans not to forget the children who are still missing and not to 
waver in the effort to reunite missing children with their families.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield back my time, Madam Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 297.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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