Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press relase, May 13, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suite 304 315 Cannon House Office Building Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan May 13, 1999 202/225-3061 CONGRESSMAN EHRETGH НЕТ PING THE EFFORT TO FIND MISSTNG CHILDREN WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R-MD) announced the Department of Defense’s approval of his request to place “Missing Children” posters on U.S. Military bases. Surprisingly, these posters, displayed throughout the United States, were not posted on Military bases. As a result of concern from constituent Ms. Melissa Bickford, Congressman Ehrlich requested approval from the Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, that these posters be displayed on bases. The Department of Defense will formally be implementing the following new policy: “The Services, Defense Agencies, Department of Defense Field Activities and Joint Service Schools will be posting notices of missing persons an children in areas of buildings and facilities under the custody or control of the Defense Department in the United States. Such areas will include those that are most frequented by service members and their families, retirees, and civilian employees, such as commissaries, exchanges, and schools. The notices will include those provided to the General Services Administration by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.” Congressman Ehrlich personally telephoned and relayed the good news to an excited Ms. Melissa Bickford now living with her husband, Sgt. Todd Bickford, stationed in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. They were originally residents of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) located in Harford County, Maryland. Sgt. Bickford was assigned to the РАС 16th Ordnance Battalion. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “ It gives me great pleasure to be able to assist families in such a worthwhile cause. If our efforts aid in the safe return of even one missing child, it was well worth our work.” m