[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10] [House] [Pages 12685-12687] [From the U.S. 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. [[Page 12686]] 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 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 [[Page 12687]] 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 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. ____________________