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Press
Release
INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACING TEAMS SUPPORT AMERICA’S
MISSING CHILDREN JOINS WITH NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE TO RAISE
AWARENESS
 INDIANAPOLIS
- May 27, 2005 - The Indy Racing League, its drivers, teams, and owners,
and the U.S. Marshals Service are joining with the National Center for Missing
& Exploited Children (NCMEC) to raise awareness about America's missing and
exploited children. To show its support of National Missing Children's Day, recognized
nationally on May 25 and throughout the month of May, NCMEC decals will be prominently
displayed on Indy race cars that make up the starting field for the 89th running
of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, 12 p.m. (CDT). In addition, each of
the Infiniti Pro Series race cars will be displaying the decals during the Futaba
Freedom 100 to be run on Friday, May 27, 1:30 p.m. (CDT) also at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
"The abduction of a child evokes a powerful, emotional response
in every parent and every citizen. The stories are tragic and frightening,
yet thankfully, they inspire action. We are thrilled and grateful to receive
national exposure during one of America's greatest sporting traditions,"
said Ernie Allen, NCMEC President & CEO. "National Missing Children's
Day is an opportunity for families to empower their children with the
knowledge to stay safer and what better sporting event than the Indianapolis
500 to spread this important message."
According to NCMEC, more than 2,000 children are reported missing every
day. Since 1984, this private, non-profit organization has coordinated
national efforts to locate and recover missing children. It provides services
for families, law enforcement, and other professionals 24 hours a day,
7 days a week in the prevention of abducted, endangered, and sexually
exploited children.
"Honoring National Missing Children's Day is one way we can show
how much we care about the children who live in our communities. We support
NCMEC and their ongoing efforts to reunite missing children with their
families and to create a safer childhood for our children," said
Brian Barnhart, Indy Racing League President and COO.
Since 1983, our nation has observed National Missing Children's Day on
May 25th. First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan, this day has been
honored by every President since. May 25th is the day 6-year-old Etan
Patz disappeared from a New York street on his way to school in 1979.
This high profile case, along with the tragic abduction and murder of
Adam Walsh in Florida and the 29 missing and murdered children of Atlanta,
led to photographs of missing children on milk cartons and, ultimately,
a nationwide movement.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting
mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 300,000
leads. Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement
with more than 106,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery
of more than 92,000 children. For more information about NCMEC, call its
toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST of visit its web site at
www.missingkids.com.
Press Contacts: NCMEC Communications Manager Joann
Donnellan: 703-837-6111 or 703-966-1990. Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal
Jason R. Wojdylo, the U.S. Marshals Service representative coordinating
NCMEC’s Indy 500 decal project: 317- 226-0259 or 317-409-7059.
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