[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 36497-36498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13268]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 101 / Friday, May 24, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 36497]]


                Proclamation 7566 of May 21, 2002

                
National Missing Children's Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On May 25, 1979, 6-year old Etan Patz disappeared on 
                his way to school in New York City. The ensuing search 
                focused national attention on the tragedy of missing 
                children, as well as the lack of resources and 
                information available to help locate and recover 
                missing children. Since that time, many high-profile 
                cases and the dedicated efforts of parents, the law 
                enforcement community, and others concerned with 
                children's well-being have generated even greater 
                awareness about the need to protect children from 
                criminals and other predators.

                During this year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the 
                passage of the Missing Children Act, originally signed 
                into law by President Reagan. Over the past two 
                decades, the Department of Justice, along with many 
                important community and faith-based partners, have made 
                great progress in raising public awareness, improving 
                public safety, locating and recovering missing 
                children, and protecting children from exploitation on 
                the Internet.

                Americans must continue to work together to ensure the 
                safety of our children. The Department of Justice will 
                commemorate National Missing Children's Day by 
                presenting six awards that recognize outstanding 
                efforts to safeguard our youngest citizens. The 
                recipients deserve our heartfelt thanks and 
                appreciation for their dedicated work. As they are 
                honored for their contributions, I urge all Americans 
                to take an active role in upholding the safety of our 
                communities and in defending the well-being of our 
                children.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim May 25, 2002, as National 
                Missing Children's Day. I call upon Americans to join 
                me in commemorating this observance and to remember 
                those young people who are missing. I also call on our 
                citizens to recognize and thank those who work on 
                behalf of missing children and their families. By 
                renewing our commitment to protect our children from 
                harm, we can save lives and prevent untold suffering 
                and grief among the most vulnerable of our society.

[[Page 36498]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-13268
Filed 5-23-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P