Today is National Missing Children Awareness Day

Governor Kulongoski Proclaims Missing Children Awareness Day in Oregon

Proclamation - Missing Children's Awareness Day 2007
Office of the Governor
State of Oregon

WHEREAS: May 25th has annually been declared "National Missing Children's Day" and
WHEREAS: there are more than 2,000 children reported missing every day; and
WHEREAS: more than 58,000 children are abducted by non-family members each year and
WHEREAS: Children represent our state's most valuable resource and greater public awareness can play a significant role in helping to reduce the number of missing children:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor of the State of Oregon, do hereby proclaim May 25, 2007, as

MISSING CHILDREN'S AWARENESS DAY

in Oregon in recognition of every child's right to care and protection and join with others across the country in support of National Missing Children's Day. We must all strive to provide our children and the future of our state and nation, a healthy and happy living environment.

End Proclamation

Important facts about abducted children:

[] 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied, resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.

[] 203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.

[] 58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.

[] 115 children were the victims of "stereotypical" kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.

Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web site, a 2002 U.S. Department of Justice report.