Press Releases

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), today held a hearing to examine the work of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and ways to improve the organization’s efforts to recover and protect vulnerable children nationwide.

For more than 30 years, NCMEC has supported and coordinated state and local efforts to recover missing children and support youth who are victims of violent crimes. John F. Clark, president and chief executive officer of NCMEC, testified about the important role the organization plays in combating the exploitation of children:

Throughout NCMEC’s thirty-three years of providing services and essential programs to help missing and exploited children, we have seen the crimes against children develop and expand. At each juncture, we have responded by refocusing our messaging and practices so we can best address these crimes against children.

Clark went on to discuss how NCMEC continues to use technology to help address the challenges vulnerable youth face — including the CyberTipline; the Child Victim Identification Program; and NetSmartz411, a program to better educate parents and guardians about internet safety.

Chairwoman Foxx emphasized that protecting America’s most vulnerable children will remain a top priority for Congress and supporting NCMEC will be an important part of that effort:

No child should live in fear of being taken from his or her family. No child should live in fear of abuse or exploitation. No child should live in fear of becoming the victim of a heinous crime. No child should live in fear. Period. That’s why protecting our most vulnerable children has long been a national priority … NCMEC was created to play an important role in that effort …

In the words of President Reagan, “Together we can turn the tide on these hateful crimes.” I look forward to continuing to work with [NCMEC] — and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle — to do just that.

NCMEC’s work is important to the safety and well-being of communities, families, and children across the nation. Congress will continue to conduct oversight of this important work to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and that victims and families receive the help they critically need.

For more information about the hearing, click here.

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