[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 26597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 26597]]

                      JACOB WETTERLING FOUNDATION

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 10th 
anniversary of the disappearance of one of Minnesota's finest young 
men, Jacob Wetterling.


  Jacob's abduction at gun point 10 years ago today from St. Joseph, 
Minnesota, has profoundly affected the lives of his family, but also 
the lives of the people of Minnesota and the entire United States. 
Jacob's family has endured a significant loss and has found the 
strength to help other families survive tragedy.
  Patty and Jerry Wetterling have spent the last decade raising 
awareness and influencing public policy through the formation of the 
Jacob Wetterling Foundation. The foundation works on a national level 
to eradicate the abduction and exploitation of children by educating, 
raising awareness, and responding to the needs of victims' families.
  The Jacob Wetterling Foundation has worked with over 1,500 families 
in the search for their missing children, they have presented workshops 
and seminars to thousands of people, and have shared their message of 
personal safety and abduction prevention to countless parents and 
children. Thanks to the Wetterling Foundation sex offenders are 
required to register in all 50 States and law enforcement agencies can 
notify neighborhoods when a likely-to-re-offend sex offender moves 
there.
  The Jacob Wetterling Foundation and the family of Jacob are perhaps 
most widely known for their message of hope, Jacob's Hope. Today we 
take a moment to think about Jacob Wetterling and the thousands of 
missing and exploited children and we pray for their safe return. 
Minnesota has an unsung hero in Patty Wetterling and the Jacob 
Wetterling Foundation. Today we recognize, in great appreciation, the 
work they have done to save the lives of our children.
  The Wetterlings have helped others in need while never giving up on 
Jacob's Hope. Today we salute this courageous family.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, first, I want to associate my remarks to 
the Senator's comments dealing with the 10th anniversary of the 
disappearance of Jacob Wetterling.
  Our support continues to go out to the family and also, as Senator 
Wellstone mentioned, to the Jacob Wetterling Foundation. Patty and 
Jerry Wetterling have worked tirelessly to aid in the search for 
missing children. As the Senator said, Jacob's Hope is all of our hope.
  Again, I commend the Wetterlings for their efforts. Also, our 
sympathy and support continues to go out to the family in the 
disappearance of Jacob Wetterling 10 years ago.

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