LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim May 25, 2010 as Missing Children's Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The problem of missing children is complex and multifaceted;
there are different types of missing children including family abduc-
tions, endangered runaways, non-family abductions, and lost, injured, or
otherwise missing children; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children, more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day; and
WHEREAS, Observing its 27th Anniversary this year, the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children has coordinated national efforts to
locate and recover missing children since 1983; and
WHEREAS, A private, non-profit organization, the National Center for
Missing & Exploited Children provides services for families, law
enforcement and other professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week in
the prevention of abducted, endangered and sexually exploited children;
and
WHEREAS, National Missing Children's Day has been observed on May 25th
in the United States since 1983; first proclaimed by President Ronald
Reagan, this day has been observed by every succeeding president; and
WHEREAS, May 25th is the day 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a
New York street corner while on his way to school in 1979; this high
profile case, along with the tragic abduction and murder of Adam Walsh
in Florida, and the missing and murdered children in Atlanta, led to
photographs of missing children on milk cartons and ultimately, a
national movement; and
WHEREAS, Missing Children's Day honors the national commitment to help
locate and recover missing children by reminding parents, guardians and
trusted adult role models to make child safety a priority; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 25, 2010 as Miss-
ing Children's Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.