[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SEX TRAFFICKING AND THE OSCARS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, the front page of Monday's Washington Post 
carried a heart-wrenching story about sex trafficking in the 
Washington, D.C., area. The story detailed unspeakable tragedies, 
including the story of a 14-year-old girl forced into sexual servitude 
in order to meet her pimp's demand of earning him $500 a night at $50 
per sex act.
  Oddly enough, that wasn't the only front-page story Monday that 
mentioned pimps. Right above that story, The Post also reported that 
the song ``It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp'' was honored with an Oscar 
this year for being the best original song in a movie.
  Should we really be shocked to read of the sexual horrors taking 
place on our streets when our most popular cultural awards show is 
handing out awards for songs that glorify prostitution and sexual 
violence?
  This is outrageous and disgusting. Music that glorifies the men 
responsible for such atrocities, like exploitation of women and 
children, should be condemned, not celebrated with an Oscar.

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