"An ordinary Minnesotan with extraordinary courage," -- that's part of Patty Wetterling's powerful first television ad released today.
Watch Patty Wetterling's ad, "Voice"
The black-and-white ad highlights Wetterling's public service for children and families. A voiceover describes her fight to bring back her abducted son Jacob, taking that fight to protect other families, and making a difference in Minnesota and Washington. It's a positive message that will resonate in the conservative-leaning Minnesota CD-6, and ought to resonate across Minnesota. I grew up in Minnesota and still live here -- let me tell you why we need Patty Wetterling in Congress.
Wetterling's life was changed 17 years ago, and since then, Minnesotans of all stripes look up to her as a mother and a fighter. We ache at her loss, and we root her on to fight the good fight and push for legislation that will make Minnesota safer.
That's not just campaign blather, either. I was a Minnesota child in the '80s and 'the abduction of Jacob Wetterling' was an unavoidable reality that ended a part of my childhood just a little bit too early. There was a palpable fear in Minnesota that kids weren't safe, even in small towns, even in our own neighborhoods, even during the daytime. ... But Patty Wetterling fought back.
From her biography:
As a private citizen, she worked across party lines, passing more legislation than many members of Congress. Patty was instrumental in the passage of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Sex Offender Registration Act on both the state and federal level. Additionally, Patty helped initiate and pass Community Notification (Megan's Law) and the launch of the Amber Alert system in Minnesota.
Patty has used her expertise in the issues of child exploitation and abduction to educate and raise awareness among law enforcement officials, parents, and community leaders. Patty has given presentations to FBI Agents at the FBI Academy in Quantico and police officers around the country on preventing and responding to child abduction and abuse cases.
In her career as a child advocate, Patty has received numerous awards from local, state, and nonprofit organizations including: the Minneapolis Star Tribune's "100 Most Influential Minnesotans of the Century" award; the President's Award from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association; the Governor's Award in Minnesota for Unique Individuals for providing Community Leadership; and the "First Alert Award" by Larry King of CNN.
But despite these strides forward, in Minnesota, when someone else goes missing, it all comes back to us. Like when Dru Sjodin was abducted before Thanksgiving 2003. Her murderer was convicted only six weeks ago. This fall, our memory of Dru Sjodin and Jacob Wetterling will be fresh again.
Patty's work is not over, and in fact, we need her more than ever -- in Congress full-time. It's time to send Patty Wetterling to the House so that she can fight for Minnesotans, and in fact, all Americans.
"An ordinary Minnesotan with extraordinary courage."
Believe it. That's why she's known in Minnesota as Saint Patty.
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Transcript:
(voiceover): When her son was abducted 17 years ago, Patty Wetterling told herself she'd do everything possible to bring Jacob home, and everything possible to protect other families. From Minnesota to the U.S. Congress, Patty Wetterling forced gridlock legislatures to pass new laws to prevent child abduction, lock sexual predators behind bars, and keep our families safe.
An ordinary Minnesotan with extraordinary courage.
Wetterling: "I'm Patty Wetterling and I approve this message."
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What you can do:
There are three immediate things you can do to help bring Patty Wetterling and her dedication to lifelong service to Washington:
1) Recommend this diary -- increase awareness of the Wetterling campaign
2) Contribute to Patty Wetterling's campaign - Wetterling's site | ActBlue
3) Volunteer for the Wetterling campaign
4) Tell your friends and family in Minnesota about the difference that Patty Wetterling can make if given the chance.
Correction from commenter: Wetterling is running in Minnesota's 6th. Please pardon the error.