[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT Of 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2000

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill
  The exploitation of our world's girls and young women in sex 
trafficking is a tragic human rights offense.
  Many of these women are kidnaped, sold, or tricked into brothel 
captivity.
  And this does not happen just in countries miles away form our own. 
Each year women from all over the world are brought into the United 
States, for the sole purpose that they be bought and sold by American 
citizens for commercial sex.
  I am happy to see that Congress is addressing this issue.
  It is important that we protect the victims of the sex trade 
industry, and punish the predators that exploit the women.
  This bill takes a significant step towards making a difference in the 
lives of women around the world.
  It authorizes a new visa for trafficking victims to provide 
protection to the women and children that are brought into the United 
States and forced into prostitution.
  The bill establishes initiatives to prevent trafficking through 
education, and authorizes assistance to the native countries of sex 
trafficked victims to help stop the industry.
  And by establishing new criminal provisions and increasing penalties 
for traffickers this bill punishes traffickers for profiting from the 
victimization of women.
  Of course there is more that needs to be done to stop the many human 
rights abuses inflicted on women around the world.
  Preventing the trafficking of women is an important step in stopping 
the booming sex trade industry.
  I commend the Representative from New Jersey for this legislation and 
I join with him and urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

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