PUBLIC LAW 98-298—MAY 24, 1984
98 STAT. 213
Public Law 98-298 98th Congress Joint Resolution To designate May 25, 1984, as "Missing Children Day".
Whereas on May 25, 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from his home in New York City and is still missing; Whereas over one million eight hundred thousand children disappear from home annually; Whereas children who are missing from home and are not living in a family environment are frequently the victims of sexual and physical exploitation; Whereas an estimated 60 per centum of missing children are sexually abused while away from home; Whereas the search for missing children is frequently a low-priority investigation in many law enforcement agencies; Whereas efforts between Federal and local law enforcement agencies in child abduction cases are usually uncoordinated, haphazard, and ineffective; and Whereas the problem of the missing child has been plagued by misinformation and there is a need to increase public understanding and awareness of this problem: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That May 25, 1984, is designated as "Missing Children Day", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all Government agencies and the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities. Approved May 24, 1984.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 252: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): Mar. 12, considered and passed Senate. May 17, considered and passed House.
May 24, 1984 [S.J. Res. 252]
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