LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the New
York Regional Offices of the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; 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 30th Anniversary of the New York Regional Offices of the
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, to be celebrated at a
special Dinner on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the Mohawk Valley office;
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, In 1984, Rochester, New York, businesses, child welfare agen-
cies and community leaders responded to the abduction of Adam Walsh by
forming the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center; this center merged with
NCMEC in 1990 and became its New York regional office (NCMEC/NY); the
Sara Ann Wood Rescue Center of Utica, New York, merged with NCMEC/NY in
1995 to become the Center's Mohawk Valley Office; in 2006, the Buffalo,
New York, office opened; and in 2011, an office was established in Sara-
toga Springs, New York, to offer services to children, families, and
professionals in the Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, NCMEC/NY offers prevention, internet safety, and mandated
reporter education programs to families, law enforcement, attorneys, and
other professionals concerning missing and exploited children; in addi-
tion, these dedicated professionals provide technical assistance on
missing children's cases, distribute posters of missing children in
targeted areas across the nation, and offer a state-of-the-art training
facility for law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Every day in the United States, 2,200 children are reported
missing; one in seven children ages 10-17 are sexually solicited online;
and one in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually victimized
before the age of 18; and
WHEREAS, In New York State, approximately 20,000 children are reported
missing annually; and
WHEREAS, The hardworking personnel of NCMEC/NY make a difference every
day; in 2013 they aided in the recovery of 1,212 children, distributed
nearly 532,000 posters of missing children, and helped to educate nearly
100,000 individuals about this complex and multifaceted issue; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized 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 30th Anniversary of the New York Regional Offices of the
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Mohawk Valley Office of the National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children.