Nick Lampson: “as we proceed in this debate, and as chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I would like…”

“as we proceed in this debate, and as chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I would like to remind my colleagues of the importance of the National Center for missing and Exploited Children. The National Center has helped locate 114,600 missing children. We should not play politics with its funding. Missing children and frightened families should be held sacred by this body. Just last Sunday, the Houston Chronicle printed the pictures of 27 girls who have been abducted in the area in and around the Ninth Congressional District. Our most recent tragedies include 12-year-old Laura Smither of Friendswood. Laura was abducted while on her morning jog. Her body was found 2 weeks later. She had been murdered. And now we are searching for 17-year-old Jessica Cain of Tiki island. Jessica never came home after a party on August 19. Her truck was found with the engine running and her wallet still on the front seat. I have met the Smither and Cain families. I have searched through woods looking for their daughters. Most importantly, in becoming involved with this issue, I have come to know and respect the excellent work done by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on behalf of these children and their families. We need to give our full support to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and give the issue our full attention and respect.”