Editorial: Their memories may fade

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 | 7:27 a.m.

After Kristen Modaferri disappeared from California's Bay Area in 1997, her parents asked for help from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Their request was turned down because the center's mission was limited to assisting in searches for children, and Kristen had turned 18 years old three weeks before her disappearance.

The parents turned to Congress, which passed a law setting up a similar center for missing adults. President Bill Clinton signed the legislation, known as Kristen's Law, in 2000.

The law led to the establishment of the Phoenix-based National Center for Missing Adults (theyaremissed.org ). As reported Friday by USA Today, the center gained national prominence in responding to more than 13,000 calls following Hurricane Katrina.

Unfortunately, this response further drained the center's dwindling resources. USA Today also reported that the Bush administration has been quietly cutting the center's funding. In 2002, for example, the center received $1.5 million in federal funding. This year the center received just $148,000, forcing it to move into a smaller building and cut its staff from 13 to five.

By comparison, the center for children received $34 million in federal funds this year and has 340 full-time employees, USA Today reported.

A quick perusal of the adult center's Web site will show the need for this organization. Thousands of adults in this country are missing, and the center, through photos and information, keeps alive the hope that someday they will either be found or their fate will become known.

When the center was founded, Kristen's parents said they hoped its funding would increase each year. We share that sentiment and believe that Congress should restore full funding to this vital organization.