John Walsh Named Honorary Chair of Barrett-Jackson Opening Gala; Event to Raise Money for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--Feb. 23, 2006--John Walsh, co-founder of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and host of "America's Most Wanted," has been named honorary chair of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event's Opening Night Gala on March 29, at the South Florida Expo Center.

The world-famous auction, featuring three straight days of "no reserve" auction excitement, will begin on Thursday, March 30, and continue through Saturday, April 1, with all three days once again being broadcasted on the SPEED Channel.

The opening night gala, benefiting the NCMEC and the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, includes a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind automotive collectibles, plus entertainment and delectable cuisine provided by some of the area's leading restaurants.

Gala tickets are $75 per person, or $200 for a bidder's package, which includes a three-day credential for a bidder and a guest, two invitations to the opening night gala, parking pass, auction catalog, reserved bidder seating and hosted bidder's bar. For tickets, please visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

John and Reve Walsh lost their six-year-old son, Adam, in 1981. Since then, the Walsh's have dedicated themselves to the protection of victim's rights, and were influential advocates in getting former President Ronald Reagan to sign the Missing Children Act into law in 1982 and, a year later, to proclaim May 25, 2006 as National Missing Children's Day. They also helped to pass the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984, which created the NCMEC. For more than 20 years, this private, nonprofit organization has served as the national clearinghouse for information on missing children and the prevention of child victimization. Walsh serves on the nonprofit organization's chief executive officers council and national advisory board, and acts as an NCMEC spokesperson.

In addition to being honored by law enforcement agencies around the country, he is also the author of three best-selling books including Tears of Rage (1997), No Mercy (1998) and Public Enemies (2001).

NEMEC works tirelessly to fight child abduction and victimization, and to safely reunite missing children with their families. Since its establishment, NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 89,000 children, trained more than 207,000 law enforcement professionals, processed more than 300,000 reports to its CyberTipline, and handled more than 1.8 million telephone calls through its toll-free hotline (800-THE-LOST).

Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., NCMEC has offices in California, Florida, Kansas City, New York and South Carolina. For more information, please call 866-411-KIDS (5437) or visit www.missingkids.com.

About The Darrell Gwynn Foundation

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the foundation assists in the funding of targeted research. The foundation is also dedicated to injury prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children. The foundation helps improve the quality of life for those already afflicted with injury or illness, by providing necessary equipment or special services. For more information, please call 954-792-7223, ext. 105 or visit www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, produces the "World's Greatest Collector Car Event" in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has expanded to other venues, including Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694.