NE NE - Jason Jolkowski, 19, Omaha, 13 June 2001 - #1

[sleuthin4fun]

:dance: Kudos to you Kelly. Jason is smiling!!!!!

 

[Kelly]

Thank you, Sleuthin!

There may be some Omaha area readers, so I will post this invitation:

Do you want to do something that gives more meaning to your life, and that can have an impact on the lives of others? With Project Jason, you’re doing much more than just volunteering, you’re doing things that give the gift of hope to families who experience the tragedy of having a missing loved one. You’re also helping to educate the public with safety and prevention which could potentially save a life.

Project Jason has numerous opportunities to do more than just volunteering. These opportunities include Internet research, service on committees such as fundraising and education, assisting at fundraisers and public events, grant research and writing, graphic design, nonprofit tax and other finance assistance, and many more. You can spend as little as few hours per year or a few hours per month helping us help others.

Project Jason is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2005, at Swanson Elementary School, which is located at 8600 Harney Street in Omaha. At 7pm, we’ll begin by presenting our services and programs in brief. You’ll meet our board members, who will share with you the meaning that this work has brought into their lives. We’ll conclude with refreshments and a casual time for you to visit with us.

We’re seeking the missing, but we’re also seeking people like you who care and want to share their time and talents. If you’d like to be a part of a high-energy group who is paving the way with innovative national programs to help find the missing, come and see what we’re all about at the Project Jason Open House.

Please RSVP by phone to 402-932-0095 or email us at volunteer@projectjason.org

For more information about Project Jason, please see www.projectjason.org We are an all-volunteer nonprofit organization.

Please feel free to share this with interested persons in the Omaha area. Thank you!

 

[Kelly]

Hello,

We need your help and we need it now. Please do not put this off, as time is of the essence.

We have fought for three years now to pass Jason’s Law, LB111, which will establish a true Missing Person’s Clearinghouse in the state of Nebraska. Passage of this vital bill will give families of missing persons much needed assistance where currently there is little help when faced with this crisis situation.

Jason’s Law was passed out of the committee and is now up for debate on the senate floor for the very first time. It is IMPERATIVE that you contact your senator to let him/her know that you support this bill. As the bill came up for debate suddenly, there is little time to spare.

We have made this process as simple as possible so that you can help us to get this bill passed. We have a prepared letter that you can copy and paste into an email and send to your local senator. Please feel free to send your own letter or personalize ours.

Please do this right away, as the bill could be debated at any time. We need to reach senators all over the state, so that they are aware of the bill and its importance. Persons living in other states can write too, but our citizens’ input will have much more meaning to them.

In order to accomplish this, we ask you to forward this email to everyone you know who lives in Nebraska, and ask them to forward it to everyone they know living here. Each person needs to look up their local senator and then send the prepared letter to them via email. Occasionally, a senator does not have email. In those cases, please send your letter via US Mail, as we have high hopes that Jason’s Law will progress through the various stages of debate, and that our collective voices will continue to be heard. 25 Votes are needed to pass it to the next level of debate.

The prepared letter is at the end of this email, and you can also find it on Jason’s website:
http://members.cox.net/prayersandposters/page17.html Reading the letter will aid in understanding why we need Jason’s Law.

To locate your local senator, go to http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/senators/senators.htm Find your city in the list and click on “Email” to send an email or click on “Info” for the US Mail address for your senator.

In Lincoln and Omaha, there is more than one senator. If you live in Lincoln or Omaha and do not know who your senator is, you can click on “Map” and zoom in to see if a particular senator covers your home area. You can also utilize the following maps to determine what district you are in and then find your senator on the link given above.

Lincoln Area Map: http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/districts/ne_maps/legislature_lancaster_final.pdf

Omaha Area Map: http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/districts/ne_maps/legislature_metro_final.pdf

We’d also like to remind those of you who live in the Omaha area of the Project Jason Open House “More Than Just Volunteering”. This will take place on Wednesday, March 23rd, 7pm, at Swanson Elementary School at 8600 Harney St.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and for your willingness to help us be the voice for those who are not with us, but will be forever in our hearts.

Sincerely,
Jim and Kelly Jolkowski, Parents of Missing Omaha Youth, Jason Jolkowski
Founders of Project Jason, www.projectjason.org



Dear Representative ,


I write to you today on behalf of one of our state's most valuable assets, the family. There is nothing more important to the future of our state than its people, citizens that are well rounded, having that sense of pride of being a member of the larger family of Nebraskans that stems from the good values instilled in us from our individual families. We must work hard together to assist our state's families in any way that we can to ensure continued growth, and that Nebraska always remains "the good life".

Sadly, there is an area lacking in state law that can impact thousands of citizens each year. These citizens include entire families that have a missing loved one, whether that person is a child, or an adult. There are very limited avenues to pursue for families of missing adults. Currently, the only law covering missing persons in the State of Nebraska is the Missing Children Identification Act (Chapter 43, Article 20), LB 333~6, which flags vital statistic records for children age 16 and under. (The Amber Alert is also in place, but that is only activated in the case of known abductions of minors.) Although this is a necessary law, clearly there is much more that can be done, and should be done, to assist our families.

Currently, approximately 38 states have a missing persons clearinghouse, which serves as a means to disseminate information about the missing and to provide assistance to the families of these missing loved ones. Nebraska has no such official clearinghouse, although the Nebraska State Patrol does keep statistics on the missing and assists with basic notification of state law enforcement agencies when a person is reported missing as deemed necessary by local law enforcement.

Our neighbors in Iowa have paved the way in providing a true clearinghouse for missing persons of all ages. LB111 is patterned after the Code of Iowa, Chapter 694. LB111 will provide much needed benefits for families in this crisis situation. The assistance that could be provided by this law includes a 24 hour toll-free hotline to report missing persons, sightings of these persons, and to request general information. Educational materials, as well as a public speakers bureau, and ongoing training for local law enforcement agencies is also included. Most importantly, ongoing public awareness of the plight of the missing, including adults, is emphasized via means of a website, which will feature photos of the missing, descriptions, and vital information regarding their disappearance. A missing persons bulletin will be published monthly and public service announcements distributed weekly. There are many additional services provided, which you can review at the Nebraska Unicameral website.

The typical citizen is not aware of the true scope and magnitude of this problem. National statistics tell us that every 37 seconds, a child disappears. Awareness of the fact that a person is missing is a key to resolution. Just because we don't hear about it on the news, doesn't mean it isn't happening. So many times, these cases get no publicity at all. LB111 will help fill in the gaps and give an equal chance for all missing persons, who are citizens of Nebraska to be seen, then hopefully found safe and be reunited with their family.

I ask you today, as my state representative, to take action to ensure that our families in Nebraska are provided with a means of assistance when faced with the tragedy of a missing loved one, adult, or child. Please give Jason's Law (named after Jason Jolkowski, missing for over three years from Omaha) your utmost consideration and say "YES" to Nebraska families when LB111 is up for your vote. We never know when might find ourselves in this very situation, whether it be a missing child, mother, father, brother, or sister of any age. Thank you.

Sincerely,

 

[ravenmad]

Hello,

We need your help and we need it now. Please do not put this off, as time is of the essence.

We have fought for three years now to pass Jason’s Law, LB111, which will establish a true Missing Person’s Clearinghouse in the state of Nebraska. Passage of this vital bill will give families of missing persons much needed assistance where currently there is little help when faced with this crisis situation.

Jason’s Law was passed out of the committee and is now up for debate on the senate floor for the very first time. It is IMPERATIVE that you contact your senator to let him/her know that you support this bill. As the bill came up for debate suddenly, there is little time to spare.

We have made this process as simple as possible so that you can help us to get this bill passed. We have a prepared letter that you can copy and paste into an email and send to your local senator. Please feel free to send your own letter or personalize ours.

Please do this right away, as the bill could be debated at any time. We need to reach senators all over the state, so that they are aware of the bill and its importance. Persons living in other states can write too, but our citizens’ input will have much more meaning to them.

In order to accomplish this, we ask you to forward this email to everyone you know who lives in Nebraska, and ask them to forward it to everyone they know living here. Each person needs to look up their local senator and then send the prepared letter to them via email. Occasionally, a senator does not have email. In those cases, please send your letter via US Mail, as we have high hopes that Jason’s Law will progress through the various stages of debate, and that our collective voices will continue to be heard. 25 Votes are needed to pass it to the next level of debate.

The prepared letter is at the end of this email, and you can also find it on Jason’s website:
http://members.cox.net/prayersandposters/page17.html Reading the letter will aid in understanding why we need Jason’s Law.

To locate your local senator, go to http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/senators/senators.htm Find your city in the list and click on “Email” to send an email or click on “Info” for the US Mail address for your senator.

In Lincoln and Omaha, there is more than one senator. If you live in Lincoln or Omaha and do not know who your senator is, you can click on “Map” and zoom in to see if a particular senator covers your home area. You can also utilize the following maps to determine what district you are in and then find your senator on the link given above.

Lincoln Area Map: http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/districts/ne_maps/legislature_lancaster_final.pdf

Omaha Area Map: http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/districts/ne_maps/legislature_metro_final.pdf

We’d also like to remind those of you who live in the Omaha area of the Project Jason Open House “More Than Just Volunteering”. This will take place on Wednesday, March 23rd, 7pm, at Swanson Elementary School at 8600 Harney St.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and for your willingness to help us be the voice for those who are not with us, but will be forever in our hearts.

Sincerely,
Jim and Kelly Jolkowski, Parents of Missing Omaha Youth, Jason Jolkowski
Founders of Project Jason, www.projectjason.org



Dear Representative ,


I write to you today on behalf of one of our state's most valuable assets, the family. There is nothing more important to the future of our state than its people, citizens that are well rounded, having that sense of pride of being a member of the larger family of Nebraskans that stems from the good values instilled in us from our individual families. We must work hard together to assist our state's families in any way that we can to ensure continued growth, and that Nebraska always remains "the good life".

Sadly, there is an area lacking in state law that can impact thousands of citizens each year. These citizens include entire families that have a missing loved one, whether that person is a child, or an adult. There are very limited avenues to pursue for families of missing adults. Currently, the only law covering missing persons in the State of Nebraska is the Missing Children Identification Act (Chapter 43, Article 20), LB 333~6, which flags vital statistic records for children age 16 and under. (The Amber Alert is also in place, but that is only activated in the case of known abductions of minors.) Although this is a necessary law, clearly there is much more that can be done, and should be done, to assist our families.

Currently, approximately 38 states have a missing persons clearinghouse, which serves as a means to disseminate information about the missing and to provide assistance to the families of these missing loved ones. Nebraska has no such official clearinghouse, although the Nebraska State Patrol does keep statistics on the missing and assists with basic notification of state law enforcement agencies when a person is reported missing as deemed necessary by local law enforcement.

Our neighbors in Iowa have paved the way in providing a true clearinghouse for missing persons of all ages. LB111 is patterned after the Code of Iowa, Chapter 694. LB111 will provide much needed benefits for families in this crisis situation. The assistance that could be provided by this law includes a 24 hour toll-free hotline to report missing persons, sightings of these persons, and to request general information. Educational materials, as well as a public speakers bureau, and ongoing training for local law enforcement agencies is also included. Most importantly, ongoing public awareness of the plight of the missing, including adults, is emphasized via means of a website, which will feature photos of the missing, descriptions, and vital information regarding their disappearance. A missing persons bulletin will be published monthly and public service announcements distributed weekly. There are many additional services provided, which you can review at the Nebraska Unicameral website.

The typical citizen is not aware of the true scope and magnitude of this problem. National statistics tell us that every 37 seconds, a child disappears. Awareness of the fact that a person is missing is a key to resolution. Just because we don't hear about it on the news, doesn't mean it isn't happening. So many times, these cases get no publicity at all. LB111 will help fill in the gaps and give an equal chance for all missing persons, who are citizens of Nebraska to be seen, then hopefully found safe and be reunited with their family.

I ask you today, as my state representative, to take action to ensure that our families in Nebraska are provided with a means of assistance when faced with the tragedy of a missing loved one, adult, or child. Please give Jason's Law (named after Jason Jolkowski, missing for over three years from Omaha) your utmost consideration and say "YES" to Nebraska families when LB111 is up for your vote. We never know when might find ourselves in this very situation, whether it be a missing child, mother, father, brother, or sister of any age. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Got my letter sent this morning! will pass it along to my kids so they can get theirs sent also. Thanks

 

[Kelly]

Thank you!

We found out today that it will not be back on the schedule until Tuesday, so we have bought a little more time.

My mom sent a letter to every senator so that they would be more aware of it. I thought that was a good idea. Also, if you email address does not identify you as being from out of state, it wouldn't hurt to send one. The more they get, the more it will help. Personal notes added to the letters will make them take notice, too.

With Hope,
Kelly

 

[frisco~owls]

Thank you, Sleuthin!

There may be some Omaha area readers, so I will post this invitation:

Do you want to do something that gives more meaning to your life, and that can have an impact on the lives of others? With Project Jason, you’re doing much more than just volunteering, you’re doing things that give the gift of hope to families who experience the tragedy of having a missing loved one. You’re also helping to educate the public with safety and prevention which could potentially save a life.

Project Jason has numerous opportunities to do more than just volunteering. These opportunities include Internet research, service on committees such as fundraising and education, assisting at fundraisers and public events, grant research and writing, graphic design, nonprofit tax and other finance assistance, and many more. You can spend as little as few hours per year or a few hours per month helping us help others.

Project Jason is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2005, at Swanson Elementary School, which is located at 8600 Harney Street in Omaha. At 7pm, we’ll begin by presenting our services and programs in brief. You’ll meet our board members, who will share with you the meaning that this work has brought into their lives. We’ll conclude with refreshments and a casual time for you to visit with us.

We’re seeking the missing, but we’re also seeking people like you who care and want to share their time and talents. If you’d like to be a part of a high-energy group who is paving the way with innovative national programs to help find the missing, come and see what we’re all about at the Project Jason Open House.

Please RSVP by phone to 402-932-0095 or email us at volunteer@projectjason.org

For more information about Project Jason, please see www.projectjason.org We are an all-volunteer nonprofit organization.

Please feel free to share this with interested persons in the Omaha area. Thank you![/QUO

I volunteer for the wonderful Org. and have met some dear, wonderful friends.

 

[Kelly]

Thanks to our friends for doing "more than just volunteering". They're really making a difference.

Check out the great graphic at the top of our Miles for the Missing webpage on our site for proof of this, and if you live in the area, be sure to sign up for this ride!

Kelly

 

[Peabody]

According to the Montel Website:

http://www.montelshow.com/show/upcoming.htm

His show 'Vanished' which features the stories of Maura Murray, Janis Stavros, Brooke Wilburger and Jason Jolkowski will re-air on Thursday March 24.



To find the channel and time of airing in your area go to

http://www.montelshow.com/misc/where_2_watch.htm



Let us all send an email to Montel's producers thanking them for their continued efforts on the behalf of these missing persons.

j_tuttle@montelshow.com

k_forman@montelshow.com


As Montel stated in the first airing of the show "Someone, somewhere knows something." Perhaps, one of the airings of this show will be the lightening rod that brings that "someone" forward.

 

[Kelly]

Thank you for letting me know about the repeat broadcast, Peabody.

Jason's Law will most likely be debated in the legislature tomorrow. Please keep the senators in your prayers that they may hear our voices and do the right thing.

Thank you.

Kelly

 

[Kelly]

For those who are watching our bill, they did not get to it today. It is on the schedule for tomorrow. Thank you.

Kelly

 

[Gabby]

For those who are watching our bill, they did not get to it today. It is on the schedule for tomorrow. Thank you.

Kelly

wonderful news Kelly... prayers are with you and Jason's Law.

Hugs,
Gabby

 

[frisco~owls]

Good Luck!! Prayers are with all....

 

[inquiringmindz]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers for your bill to pass!

 

[Kelly]

YES! I am happy to report that Jason's Law made it through round one of debate and passed with flying colors! The vote was 37-0. The next round could come anytime in the next several weeks. After that, there is a formal reading of the bill, and then it goes to the governor to sign. He could veto it, or if it doesn't move along quickly, and they start to talk budget, it could be killed because of budgetary issues. We have a fighting chance!

Thanks to everyone who sent letters and prayed. Do keep up the prayers to get this pushed through quickly.

The story was the featured Unicameral Update.

http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/update/index.htm


Missing persons clearinghouse bill advances


A bill that would establish a central repository for information on missing persons advanced to select file Wednesday.

LB 111 would require the Nebraska State Patrol to administer a state Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse to be used by law enforcement agencies.
Under the bill, the State Patrol would:

collect, process, maintain and disseminate information about missing persons;
train law enforcement agencies to report information to the clearinghouse;
develop training programs to prevent kidnapping;
maintain a statewide, toll-free telephone hotline 24 hours a day;
maintain a Web site accessible to law enforcement agencies and the public;
maintain a registry of educational materials;
distribute monthly missing persons bulletins; and
compile statistics regarding missing persons.

Omaha Sen. Patrick Bourne said he introduced the bill as a result of a constituent whose son has been missing since 2001.

Bourne said 38 states have similar clearinghouse programs to track missing people and inform the public of their disappearance. In 1999, 797,000 children were reported missing in the United States, he said.

“Education and public awareness are absolutely vital in finding these people who are missing,” he said. “Anything we can do to protect our children is a good thing to do.”

Sen. Elaine Stuhr of Bradshaw said requiring the State Patrol to develop training on kidnapping would take additional time and resources. She introduced an amendment proposing that information about kidnapping prevention be distributed in educational printed materials instead.

Stuhr’s amendment failed on a 4-15 vote and the bill advanced on a vote of 37-0.


Many blessings,
Kelly

 

[CaliKid]

The greatest thing people can do is get involved. If we'd all keep our eyes open for odd people being where they shouldn't or showing undue interest in a child or weird things going on in our neighborhood and REPORTING IT, our world would be a much safer place for kids.

 

[ShowerSinger]

Dear Kelly,
My family and I just watched you and Jim on the rebroadcast of the Montel Williams show. We were all very touched, and will continue to do everything we can to support your worthy cause. Our heart-felt prayers will include Jason, and your loved ones this Easter, and always.

 

[frisco~owls]

Congrats! Keep up the great work : )) I also saw The Montel Show yesterday afternoon.

Since I have become aware of Missing Children/Adults, I noticed how parents let their children run away from them in public places. I was at the local mall yesterday and I watched how many kids would run ahead of the parents or stop and look at a display, the parents really not paying much attention where the kids were. I wanted toooooo shout at them, Please watch your child each moment that you are out in public with them!!!! It just floored me how careless some of these people where! They have no idea of the heartaches that might be waiting... just around the next display.

 

[Kelly]

Thank you both. I really have no idea how many letters made it to our Senators and what combination of things made it unanimous for this first round of debate. In the end, that we now have a fighting chance is music to my ears.

I know what you mean, FO, about parents in public. One evening, I was at our local high school track, which is open to the public to use for walking, etc. A man was there with a boy who appeared to be about 5 years old. The boy wandered futher away from the man and eventually the man yelled at him to come back to where he was walking. He yelled: "Get back over here, or someone will take you!" Of course, that is a bit extreme to put children in a position of living in fear by saying that to the child.

I caught up to the man on the track, and asked if he had a Child ID Kit filled out for the boy. He did not even know what I was talking about, or the purpose of these kits. (Which are for all ages, BTW) I explained the reasoning behind them. I also keep some in my car, so I was able to give the man some kits.

You can download these kits here if you do not have one. Make sure you get one for everyone in the family!

Personal ID Kit

Many blessings,
Kelly

 

[Kelly]

Today we received word that Jason's Law went through the second round of debate without a hitch. The third round is a formality and could take place in the next two weeks. After that, it goes to the governor to sign into law. The governor was queried as to his disposition on it, as he could veto it, but it sounds as if he will not. Anyone is free to write him a brief note of support for Jason's Law (please also mention it is LB111)

http://gov.nol.org/mail/govmail.html

Thank you for the support and all of the prayers. We believe that Jason's Law will become a reality for Nebraskans very soon.

Kelly

 

[Kelly]

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1435532.html

Jason's Law Advances
Set for final vote


A bill to set up a clearinghouse for information on missing persons is set for a final vote in the Nebraska legislature.

State senators have advanced the bill known as Jason's Law.

It was named for Jason Jolkowski who disappeared in June of 2001.

Jason's mother is a driving force behind the legislation.

The measure is now set for final consideration.