LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of The Ride
for Missing Children Central New York on June 3, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those renowned organizations which devote their energy, resources and
thoughtful care to improving the quality of life in their communities;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 20th Anniversary of The Ride for Missing Children Central New
York on Friday, June 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping prevent child abduc-
tion and sexual exploitation, finding missing children, and assisting
victims of abduction and sexual exploitation as well as their families
and the professionals who serve them; and
WHEREAS, What started as a small group of bicyclists that hoped to
raise awareness for the plight of one missing child has grown into the
biggest annual fundraiser for The National Center For Missing &
Exploited Children - New York/Mohawk Valley Office (NCMEC-NY/MV); and
WHEREAS, That one missing child was named Sara Anne Wood; tragically,
this young girl disappeared while walking her bike home in 1993; the
Greater Mohawk Valley community rallied together around her family to
help raise awareness of her disappearance; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Sara Anne Wood's father, Bob and six other men
teamed up to further raise national awareness of the plight of the many
missing and exploited children and to bring a message of safety to the
people they met along the way; deemed Sara's Ride, the men rode their
bicycles from Norwich Corners, New York, where Sara was abducted, to the
Capitol steps in Washington, D. C.; and
WHEREAS, Bob Wood and his fellow bicyclists arrived on the Capitol
steps on May 25, 1995, the first National Missing Children's Day; two
years later, inspired by the first Ride, a group of 43 riders rode their
bicycles 100 miles from Albany, New York, to Utica, New York, bearing
the same message of safety and awareness, thus beginning the Annual Ride
For Missing Children; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of The Ride For Missing Children (The Ride) is to
honor the memory of all missing children, raise public awareness of the
plight of all missing and exploited children and the need for child
safety education, and raise funds to support the missing children poster
distribution, community education for the prevention of child abduction
and sexual exploitation, and the mission of NCMEC-NY/MV in serving its
community here and across New York State; and
WHEREAS, The Ride is a one-day, 100-mile bike ride that stops at
schools along the route to bring a message of safety; all participating
Riders make a vow to raise a minimum of $500 and to support the mission
and goals of The Ride and NCMEC-NY/MV; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the year, riders and volunteers attend monthly
meetings to understand the importance of why people Ride, and to conduct
Ride business; and
WHEREAS, Participants learn that this spectacular event is not only
about a bike ride, but also about raising awareness of the plight of
missing children, and spreading a message of abduction prevention and of
hope; this incredible group strives to "make our children safer....one
child at a time"; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the last two decades, The Ride has grown steadily
each year; currently, there are over 450 Rider participants; there are

now five Rides for Missing Children events held throughout New York
State; and
WHEREAS, An emotionally draining event, each rider wears a pin repres-
enting the child whom they are riding for; the route taken represents an
open path which signifies that this vital organization's work is never
done, that there will always be hope and to never stop searching for a
missing child; and
WHEREAS, A community-affirming event, The Ride is a time to remember
those missing and exploited children who have suffered what no child
should have to endure; it is an occasion for people to comfort and
console one another, and a night to celebrate those who have survived;
and
WHEREAS, The success of The Ride is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its volunteers and participants, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeav-
ors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to The Ride for Missing
Children Central New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions and individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought
to our attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of The Ride for Missing Children
Central New York on June 3, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Ride for Missing Children Central New York.