I rise today to inform this honourable house of a wonderful and invaluable program offered by a non-profit organization in our province.

Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador is a volunteer-based organization that assists in the location and recovery of missing and exploited children, and provides assistance and support to families who have experienced the trauma of a missing child.

Last year 275 children and youth were reported missing in our province � a staggering number that certainly will come as a surprise to many people, as it did to me personally.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of signing a proclamation for Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador recognizing the month of May as Missing and Exploited Children�s Month in our province.

I also discussed with members of Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador their work, the challenges they face and the successes they have had. I am pleased to note they have joined us today in the public gallery.

Last year, there were more than 10,000 children and youth involved in a variety of Child Find programs such as safety education. Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador also provides a 24 hour emergency 1-800 number, customs and border alerts and support to law enforcement agencies, along with numerous other important services.

As part of this month of awareness, Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador, in concurrence with its partners across the country, will conduct its 13^th annual Green Ribbon of Hope Campaign and will ask people throughout Canada to wear a Green Ribbon of Hope to draw attention to missing and exploited children. As well, May 25 will be the 20^th Annual National Missing Children�s Day in Canada.

The Green Ribbon of Hope Campaign started in St. Catharine�s, Ontario by students and faculty of Holy Cross Secondary School after their classmate and friend Kristen French was abducted and murdered.

Our children represent our hopes and dreams for the future and yet in many respects they are the most vulnerable members of our community. Collectively, it is our responsibility to protect our children which is why it is important that the Green Ribbon of Hope Campaign is one that should be endorsed by every person in our province.

Child Find is an organization that deserves our support, as they work to educate children and adults alike about prevention and safety for children everywhere.

I am proud on behalf of the Government and people of Newfoundland and Labrador to proclaim May as Missing and Exploited Children�s Month and I ask all members of the House of Assembly to join me in wearing a Green Ribbon of Hope in support of Child Find Newfoundland and Labrador and its important endeavours throughout our province.

2006 05 02                              1:45 p.m.