National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Celebrates Twenty-Year Anniversary by Honoring Outstanding Law Enforcement on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2004--

Twenty Years of Bringing Home Missing Children and Preventing Victimization Recognized at Annual Event in Observance of National Missing Children's Day

“Today's ceremony is particularly special because this year marks the National Center's twentieth anniversary”

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, Reve 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 Reve 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 NCMEC

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.