11.18.24

McConnell on 40th Anniversary of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

‘Today, the national center quarterbacks platforms, like AMBER Alerts and a central tip line, mobilizing a vast network of data, resources, and child welfare professionals to help thousands of families avert tragedy. To date, their work has directly led to the recovery of over 400,000 children. Last year, they recorded a success rate of 88%.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

“The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has saved literally thousands of lives. And I hold it in particularly high regard because its roots run deep in Kentucky. Over forty years ago, when I was Judge-Executive of Jefferson County, the issue of missing and exploited children had yet to receive the national focus it deserved.

“Thankfully, two public servants, Ernie Allen and John Rabun, had vision and drive on this issue when few others did.

“John and Ernie proposed to me that Jefferson County create a special unit bridging social services and law enforcement to combat this problem.

“Together, I believe we created the first police-social services team in the nation dedicated to working child abduction and exploitation cases.

“The team pioneered new techniques, like a statewide fingerprinting effort, that met much success – enough success, in fact, that other jurisdictions adopted our model, eventually leading Congress to establish a national center in 1984.

“Today, the national center quarterbacks platforms, like AMBER Alerts and a central tip line, mobilizing a vast network of data, resources, and child welfare professionals to help thousands of families avert tragedy.

“To date, their work has directly led to the recovery of over 400,000 children. Last year, they recorded a success rate of 88%.

“So, I’m honored to recognize the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on forty years of immense service to our country. I know parents all across America are thankful for the peace of mind that, should the unspeakable ever occur, this fine organization stands ready to bring their child home.”

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