Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recently addressed the Senate floor to mark the 40th anniversary of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. McConnell highlighted the organization's significant impact, noting its origins in Kentucky.

"The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has saved literally thousands of lives," said McConnell. He recalled his time as Judge-Executive of Jefferson County when missing and exploited children were not yet a national priority.

McConnell credited Ernie Allen and John Rabun, two public servants who proposed creating a special unit in Jefferson County to address child abduction and exploitation by bridging social services with law enforcement. "Together, I believe we created the first police-social services team in the nation dedicated to working child abduction and exploitation cases," he stated.

The team's success led to new techniques such as a statewide fingerprinting effort, which other jurisdictions later adopted. This model eventually inspired Congress to establish a national center in 1984.

Today, the center operates platforms like AMBER Alerts and a central tip line, coordinating data, resources, and professionals to assist families nationwide. Their efforts have resulted in the recovery of over 400,000 children with an 88% success rate last year.

"So, I’m honored to recognize the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on forty years of immense service to our country," McConnell concluded. "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."