Indianapolis 500 Racing Teams Support America’s Missing Children; Joins with National Center for Missing & Exploited Children & U.S. Marshals Service to Raise Awareness

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 -- 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 compromise the starting field for the 89th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, at 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 25. 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 corner 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 http://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.

Contact Information

Joann Donnellan

Media Contact

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Contact via E-mail