[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 28 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E315]]


INTRODUCING THE JUVENILE PROTECTION FROM SEX SLAVERY TRAFFICKING ACT OF 
                                  2004

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 8, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, as the world celebrates International 
Women's Day today, I am proud to rise with Representatives Burton of 
Indiana, Andrews, Cardoza, Chandler, English, Frost, Hoyer, McCarthy of 
Missouri, Miller of Florida, and Sandlin to introduce the Juvenile 
Protection from Sex Slavery Trafficking Act of 2004. Today, we 
recognize the female struggle for equality, justice, peace, and 
development in the political and economic process. The legislation we 
introduce today represents a step toward achieving those goals.
  This bill takes an important step toward increasing penalties against 
individuals convicted of trafficking predominantly girls who are bought 
and sold as sex slaves. This bill treats kingpins of such trafficking 
networks just like drug kingpins responsible for the destruction of the 
futures and lives of our children.
  The bill allows for capital punishment of kingpins who organize and 
operate child sex trafficking networks in the United States. These 
kingpins who engage in the most contemptible behavior often lure 
underage victims through befriending their families, many of whom 
reside in the poorest developing countries, and prey on their hopes for 
a better life. In an effort to kidnap their victims, kingpins convince 
parents that their children will be taught a useful trade, or they 
falsely promise marriage to daughters who are ultimately forced into 
prostitution. These broken promises often result in ruined lives and 
considerable suffering for the victim and the families.
  Mr. Speaker, in response to this despicable behavior, the Juvenile 
Protection from Sex Slavery Trafficking Act of 2004 makes available the 
strongest possible punishment against perpetrators of these inhumane 
crimes against defenseless children. I strongly encourage my colleagues 
to support this legislation as a powerful step to protect the world's 
children from this despicable crime.

                          ____________________