HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2015-4642, by Representative Klippert

WHEREAS, National Missing Children's Day was first observed in 1983, following a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan; and

WHEREAS, May 25, 2015, will be the 32nd National Missing Children's Day; and

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; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year, more than 58,000 children are abducted by nonfamily members each year, and more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day; and

WHEREAS, Congress' efforts to provide resources, training, and technical assistance has increased the capability of state and local law enforcement to find children and return them home safely; and

WHEREAS, The 1979 disappearance of 6 year old Etan Patz served as the impetus for the first proclamation of National Missing Children's Day 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 support the observation of National Missing Children's Day and encourage 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize 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 urge all parents and guardians to take this important precaution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge 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.

 

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

Resolution 4642 adopted by the House of Representatives

May 6, 2015

 

 

 

 

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Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk