    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [January 19, 1996]
    [Pages 70-71]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Memorandum on Missing Persons and Missing
    Children
    January 19, 1996

        Every parent knows that their children are the most important thing
    in their lives. We cherish them, we invest our hopes in them, and when
    they fall victim to harm, it can be the most wrenching experience of
    all. For every parent, one of the most horrible things imaginable is the
    disappearance of a child. We must do

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    whatever we can to help parents in these situations find their children.
        Every year, approximately 300 children are abducted by strangers.
    Just yesterday, we heard news of a terrible tragedy in Texas, where a
    young girl was found murdered, after she had been missing for 5 days. We
    must do everything we can to stop this from happening again. Time is the
    enemy in abduction cases--and the most important tool we have against it
    is making sure information gets out to the public.
        The Federal Government, through the FBI and other law enforcement
    agencies, is doing its part to help State and local law enforcement
    investigate these cases and disseminate information as quickly as
    possible. But it is critical that the FBI be notified within 48 hours of
    the abduction. In 6 out of 10 recent cases, the FBI learned of the
    abduction from TV reports. We've got to do better. And we will.
        Nearly all 16,000 police departments around the country have the
    capacity, through a state-of-the-art computer system, to report missing
    persons to the FBI. I have asked the Attorney General to make it the
    highest priority to make sure this system works as quickly as possible.
        The Federal Government already works with States to establish
    clearinghouses for information on missing children. The National Center
    for Missing and Exploited Children, funded by the Justice Department,
    has helped establish clearinghouses in 47 States plus the District of
    Columbia. The Center also funds Project Alert, which uses the expertise
    of volunteer retired police officers to help search for missing
    children.
        Now it is time to do more to help families beat the race against
    time in searching for their missing children. Federal offices come into
    contact with thousands of citizens and workers every day. That gives the
    Federal Government a unique role to play in the search for missing
    children.
        Today I will sign an executive memorandum directing all agency heads
    to take the necessary actions to allow the posting of photos of missing
    children in Federal buildings. This Presidential action also directs
    agencies to appoint an action officer to maintain the space for these
    notices.
        This memorandum is just one step, but it's a step in the right
    direction. There is more we can do--and we will.
        The Federal Government is doing its part. But we know that the key
    to finding missing children is within their own communities. When these
    terrifying abductions occur, we have seen communities band together to
    distribute flyers, interview potential witnesses, and support the
    families. Unfortunately, sometimes a terrible tragedy brings out the
    very best in our communities and our country.
        If we love our children, then we must do everything we can to help
    when they are in harm's way. Every one of us must take responsibility to
    do what they can to help find our missing children. Please look twice at
    the photos of missing children you see in the mail, on your milk
    cartons, and now, in Federal buildings across the country. Everyone can
    make a difference, and everyone has an obligation to try.