For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
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.
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.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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