The Committee for Missing Children was ten years old on January 1, 2000.     May 1995: The Committee for Missing Children traveled to Rochester, New York to take part in the "Convoy for Kali" the trip had scheduled media stops in several major cities along the way. Our arrival in Washington was to coincide with Missing Children's Day. We all were invited to attend the events sponsored by the Justice Department and the Attorney General.   additional pictures     November 1995: the Committee for Missing Children held the first Parent Advocacy Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was at this meeting that Judy Gifford-Tosh and Jody Himebaugh came up with the name FOCUS, Finding Our Children Under Stress. It was decided that this would be the name of our newsletter and handbook.   additional pictures     In 1997, P.A.R.E.N.T. (Parents Advocating for Recovery through Education by Networking Together) held a meeting in Washington, DC. P.A.R.E.N.T. was started by Maureen Dabbagh after her daughter Nadia was abducted to Syria by her former husband. Everyone attending the three-day meeting spent two days going to all the foreign embassies of the countries where their children had been kidnapped. On the last day several of the parents went to the State Department to visit with Mr. Raymond Clore, head of the Office of Children's Issues.   additional pictures     1992-2001: Over the years The Committee for Missing Children has displayed pictures of missing and abducted children at many conventions, meetings and gatherings of all kinds. Our objective is to "get out the word" about missing and abducted children. In addition to displaying pictures, we have had the privilege of associating with many parents, individuals and organizations that are involved with missing and abducted children. Here are a few pictures of our many booths as well as a few of the people we have met along the way.   additional pictures     May 1999: Third annual P.A.R.E.N.T meeting in Washington, DC. The conference offered parents of missing and abducted children a chance to share their stories with other parents as well as several non-profit organizations and Washington agencies that deal with missing and abducted children. One of the highlights of the weekend was the candle light vigil held outside the White House. Here are several pictures of the candle light ceremony.   additional pictures     August 1999: The Committee for Missing Children held it's second parent advocacy meeting in Washington, DC. The CMC invited twenty-five parents of missing and abducted children as well as thirty eight professionals that deal with missing and abducted children. This included such agencies as the Department of State, Department of Justice, Interpol, Voice of America Policy office, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, and many more. We invited several Non-profit missing children's organizations as well as professionals who deal in parental alienation. Representatives of law enforcement and the legal profession were in attendance. Below are pictures of the Washington meeting and its attendees.   additional pictures     May 2000: As a follow up to our Washington parent advocacy meeting, we decided to hold a similar meeting in Langenselbold, Germany where we maintain an office. Christiane Lops, who was a left behind parent, manages our European office. Once again the CMC paid the way for fifteen parents to attend the meeting. In addition we invited several Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's) and lawyers. The U. S. Embassy sent two representatives. As with the Washington meeting, our objective was to bring together a group of individuals interested in developing a handbook/reference guide for the parents of missing and abducted children. I hope you enjoy a few pictures of our meeting.   additional pictures     February-March 2001: With the help of German attorney Harald Weisker, the CMC was able to locate Ed Troxel's children in Germany. Christiane Lops, our European Director, contacted Janet, the children's mother, and with Harald's help a meeting between Ed, Janet, and Sarah and Jessica was set up in Mannheim, Germany. Ed had not seen his children in four years. The children got to spent several days with Ed. They went bowlingand to the movies and Ed even got to see all the Brittany Spears posters in their room. It was a good, but short, four days.   additional pictures   2003 - The CMC assists Ron Wintersgill with the return of his Son from Germany. Ron's Son was taken by his Non-custodial mother. Ron was represented by attorney Harald Weisker. More information can be found on our European web site.   In March of 2004 the Committee for Missing Children held their first Board of Directors meeting in Langenselbold, Germany where we maintain an office. Our European office is run by Christiane Lops, herself a victim of parental abduction, Christiane's children were returned from the United States to Germany under the Hague abduction treaty.   1998-2004 - Germany is a wonderful country to visit. The country is full of history at every turn. Here are a few pictures taken over the years. It seems like there is a castle on every hilltop. Many of the cities and villages will remind you of times long past. We hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed taking them.   2004 ­ Our European office. While small, a lot of work and planning is accomplished here. Christiane has done a tremendous job assisting both American and European parents whose children have gone missing. Keep your eyes on our growth in Europe.