|
Press
Release
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN
CELEBRATES TWENTY-YEAR ANNIVERSARY BY HONORING OUTSTANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT
ON CAPITOL HILL
Twenty
Years of Bringing Home Missing Children and Preventing Victimization Recognized
at Annual Event in Observance of National Missing Children's Day
WASHINGTON, DC - May 19, 2004 - In recognition of
its twenty-year anniversary and National Missing Children's Day, the National
Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) held its Ninth Annual
Congressional Breakfast and National Missing and Exploited Children's
Awards on Capitol Hill today. Federal, state and local officials, along
with Members of Congress were in attendance as awards were presented to
law enforcement personnel for their exceptional efforts to recover missing
children and resolve child sexual exploitation cases.
Celebrity guest Bryan Cranston, who plays "Hal" on the Emmy
and Golden Globe nominated FOX television series, "Malcolm in the
Middle," spoke about his KidSmartz child safety video created with
NCMEC. John Walsh, host of the popular FOX television show, "America's
Most Wanted: America Fights Back," and his wife, Revé Walsh,
presented the Courage Award to Elizabeth Smart and spoke about their efforts
that led to the creation of NCMEC after their son, Adam, was abducted
and murdered in 1981.
"Today's ceremony is particularly special because this year marks
the National Center's twentieth anniversary," began NCMEC Board of
Directors Chairman Senator Dennis DeConcini. "We can't think of a
better way to celebrate this milestone than to honor outstanding men and
women in law enforcement and recognize their success." Senator DeConcini
served as Master of Ceremonies along with NCMEC Vice Chair Congressman
Jim Lightfoot.
The Fraternal Order of Police and the U.S. Department of Justice's Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention partnered with NCMEC for
the ninth year in a row to host the awards ceremony, which takes place
each year on or near National Missing Children's Day, May 25.
2004 Officer of the Year
Postal Inspector Steven Sadowitz of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Senior Special Agent Perry Woo of U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement in Fairfax, Virginia, were honored by Congresswoman
Julia Carson (IN) and Assistant Attorney General Deborah Daniels for their
investigative expertise in dismantling a child sex tourism and prostitution
ring in Mexico.
2004 National Missing Children's Awards
Congressman Nick Lampson (TX) honored Special Agent Colleen Maher of the
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General in Long Beach,
California, for her investigation that led to the recovery of Aric Austin,
who was abducted at six weeks by his noncustodial father and recently
reunited with his mother after more than twenty years.
Officer Elizabeth M. Butler of the Manlius Police Department in Manlius,
New York, and Sergeant Richard Woolley of the Onondaga County Sheriff's
Office in Syracuse, New York, were honored for the recovery of a 16-year-old
girl who was abducted and held in captivity by 68-year-old John Jamelske.
Senator Hillary Clinton (NY) recognized Officer Butler and Sergeant Woolley
for the recovery and the assailant's arrest.
Captain Lyndon Parrish of the Cass County Sheriff's Office in Cassopolis,
Michigan, Special Agent Roy Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
in St. Joseph, Michigan, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joan E. Meyer in
Grand Rapids, Michigan, were honored by Congressman Fred Upton (MI) for
the recovery of Lindsey Ryan, a 14-year-old girl that was abducted by
54-year-old Terry Drake.
2004 National Exploited Children's Awards
Detective James E. Smith of the Connecticut State Police in Meriden, Connecticut,
and Postal Inspector Martin Vega, Jr. of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
in Wallingford, Connecticut, were honored by Senator Chris Dodd (CT) for
their perseverance in busting a child pornography ring and rescuing numerous
child victims.
Special Agent Supervisor Jeff Mackanin of the California Department of
Justice in Rancho Cordova, California, Special Agent Reginald K. Ogata
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Sacramento, California, and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel White in Sacramento, California, accepted
awards presented by Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) for their joint efforts
in an online child pornography business that led to the arrest of several
child predators.
2004 National Courage Award
NCMEC presented its fifth National Courage Award this year to Elizabeth
Smart of Salt Lake City, Utah, for having the courage to relay her identity
to law enforcement authorities while being held by a 48-year-old abductor.
Senator Orrin Hatch (UT) joined John and Revé Walsh to honor Elizabeth.
Generous support from the following companies and individuals made the
awards possible: Honeywell, RadioShack Corporation, America Online, Ford
Motor Company, SafeAssured by Wausau Financial Systems, Canon U.S.A.,
Inc., Computer Associates, Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, Time-Warner,
Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Foundation, Yahoo!, the National Association of Broadcasters,
OnStar, Seisint, Inc., Stonebridge Life Insurance Company, ADVO, Equifax,
Lockheed Martin, Mr. Martin Lerner, Microsoft Corporation, the National
Research Center for College & University Admissions, Holiday Inn Select,
Quanstar, and U.S. Airways.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention. Serving as the national clearinghouse for information and
a resource center for child protection, NCMEC has worked with law enforcement
on 98,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of 83,000 children.
NCMEC's CyberTipline has handled more than 240,000 leads of child sexual
exploitation. For more information, please visit www.missingkids.com or
call 1.800.THE.LOST.
CONTACT:
Communications Department
NCMEC
703-837-6111
|
Privacy Policy
