WHEREAS, In 2022, the office of the Attorney General reported more than 60,000 missing children in California and the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported nearly 360,000 missing children nationwide; and
WHEREAS, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) found that Black and Native American children were disproportionately victimized by child abduction, with 31 percent of missing children reported as Black and 1.5 percent reported as Native American in 2021, which is approximately double the percentage of each population’s presence in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice first recognized National Missing Children’s Day on May 25, 1983, in memory of six-year-old Etan Patz, who was abducted in 1979 while walking to school in New York City; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention established a partnership with NCMEC in 1984 to provide guidance and resources related to child abduction; and
WHEREAS, National Missing Children’s Day is recognized to raise awareness about the ongoing child abduction crisis, to commemorate victims of child abduction and their families, and to honor parents, guardians, caregivers, volunteers, and peace officers who remain dedicated to finding missing persons; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims May 25, 2023, as National Missing Children’s Day and the 40th anniversary of the first National Missing Children’s Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature urges the participation of state agencies, law enforcement, local government, schools, community organizations, families, and individuals in educating minors and adults on preventing child abduction, responding to and reporting threats against personal safety, and connecting others with resources available to victims of abduction; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.