[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8907-H8908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRAFFICKING
(Mr. Pitts asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the President this week made a courageous
move at the U.N. He called on the world to act against trafficking. The
U.N. should follow the President's lead and take action.
Human trafficking is one of the worst forms of human violations in
the world today. Each year, over 800,000 men, women, and children are
trafficked into prostitution or forced labor. It is modern-day slavery.
It is absolutely vital that we act to remove these people from slavery
and assist in their recovery, but it is also important that police and
security forces around the
[[Page H8908]]
world root out the people who profit off of this special evil.
Many of these people are involved in organized crime. There are even
reports that suggest profits from trafficking in persons are used to
support terrorist activities.
Make no mistake about it, any government that tolerates trafficking,
tolerates a form of slavery.
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