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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Concerned citizens throughout the state are joining |
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in the observance of National Missing Children's Day on May 25, |
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2016, in an effort to mobilize the public to take action on an issue |
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that is deeply troubling to all Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, This nationwide annual event was first held on May |
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25, 1983, as a tribute to six-year-old Etan Patz of New York City, |
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who disappeared that day in 1979, when there was no national |
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response or database in place to aid in locating him; and |
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WHEREAS, With the participation of local governments, law |
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enforcement, schools, community-based organizations, and families, |
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National Missing Children's Day seeks to raise awareness of |
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protective measures and enhance efforts to bring home those who are |
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currently missing; notable initiatives in Texas include the Take 25 |
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Campaign, through which the National Center for Missing & Exploited |
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Children and its local partners organize public events and provide |
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resources to help families learn about and prevent abductions; |
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thanks in part to programs such as these, the recovery rate of |
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children abducted in the United States has increased sharply in the |
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decades since the observance was instituted; and |
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WHEREAS, Protecting our youth is a responsibility that rests |
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with all citizens, and National Missing Children's Day offers an |
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important opportunity to educate the public about this serious |
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issue; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 25, 2016, as National Missing |
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Children's Day and encourage all Texans to learn more about what |
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they can do to help keep our children safe. |