[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 140 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JACOB WETTERLING

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, twenty-seven years ago, every parent's 
nightmare became a painful reality for Jerry and Patty Wetterling. On 
October 22, 1989, Jacob Erwin Wetterling was kidnapped while riding his 
bike in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and his abduction remained unsolved 
until last week.
  I was a judge in Houston, Texas where many of my cases involved 
horrific abuse of children. I clearly remember the day of Jacob's 
abduction, and I also recall and honor the work of his parents, Patty 
and Jerry, that literally changed how we view child protection in 
America.
  Patty Wetterling became a fierce advocate for child safety, and her 
heroic efforts led to the creation of sex offender registries in all 50 
states and here in DC. Patty and Jerry founded the Jacob Wetterling 
Resource Center to educate and assist families and communities to 
address and prevent the exploitation of children.
  When Jacob's remains were found earlier this month, the shock to 
America--and to countless advocates who work to help child victims and 
survivors--was profound. Our hearts ached for Jacob's family. And then 
our hearts were truly inspired by their response, and their challenge, 
to us all.
  Patty Wetterling has said of Jacob, ``He's taught us all how to live, 
how to love, how to be fair and how to be kind.'' Last week, she 
encouraged us all to emulate Jacob Wetterling's too-brief life by 
simply doing #11forJacob:
  1. Be fair
  2. Be kind
  3. Be understanding
  4. Be honest
  5. Be thankful
  6. Be a good sport
  7. Be a good friend
  8. Be joyful
  9. Be generous
  10. Be gentle with others
  11. Be positive
  If we ALL practiced #11forJacob on a daily basis, our Nation--and our 
communities and homes and schools--would be a much better place to 
live. Jacob and his family inspire us to just do and be better.
  As the Co-Founder and Chair of the U.S. Congressional Victims' Rights 
Caucus, I honor Jacob Wetterling by encouraging you to honor the legacy 
of his life. And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________