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The annual commemoration recognizes law enforcement personnel and private citizens for outstanding efforts on behalf of missing and exploited children. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales gave the keynote address and Postmaster General John E. Potter announced the official issuance of the AMBER Alert Awareness stamp (see related story).

This year, the Attorney General's Special Commendation went to Officer Flint Waters of Wyoming's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for his devotion to protecting children and his many contributions to the ICAC national program. Twelve other officers received awards for their efforts in recovering missing children and combating child exploitation.

Dana Sever, Los Alamitos Elementary School, San Jose, CA, won the Missing Children's Day poster contest for 2005. A poster, shown above, based on her winning design was featured in the 2006 event.

Assistant Attorney General Schofield, who is the National AMBER Alert Coordinator, presented the AMBER Alert Citizen Award to Agatino Amoroso of Cooper City, FL, and Chastity Angell and Mike Butcher of Ivins City, UT.

John Bish of Warren, MA, whose 16-year-old daughter Molly was kidnapped and murdered in 2000, also addressed the audience. Assistant Attorney General Schofield presented Courage Awards to two youngsters in recognition of their bravery during abductions. Families of missing children were among the guests at the ceremony.

Also participating in the commemoration was Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), who presented the NCMEC Volunteer of the Year Award to Khaliah Ali, Newtown Square, PA, and the NCMEC Law Enforcement Leadership Award to Special Agent Flint Waters. Catherine Braun, a student at Our Lady of the Snows School, Eugene, MO, accepted the 2006 National Missing Children's Day Art Contest Award. The ceremony closed with songs from the Orr Elementary School Chorus, Washington DC, and Magi Bish, who sang "I Looked for You," a song she wrote in honor of her daughter Molly.

Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Regina B. Schofield and Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales were among the dignitaries participating in the U.S. Department of Justice's 23rd annual commemoration of National Missing Children's Day.

Students from the Orr Elementary School, Washington, DC.