[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 101 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE CARLSON COMPANIES INC., AMERICAN SOCIETY OF 
          TRAVEL AGENTS, FLAMINGO TRAVEL, AND ELA BRASIL TOURS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, sex tourism and more specifically the 
sexual commercial exploitation of children has increasingly become a 
serious problem. The International Labor Organization estimates that 
approximately 550,000-700,000 children are forced into sexual 
exploitation each year. I, therefore, rise to salute the Carlson 
Companies Inc., the American Society of Travel Agents, ASTA, Flamingo 
Travel in Philadelphia and Ela Brasil in New York City for signing the 
Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children From Sexual Commercial 
Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. They have taken a bold stand 
against the sexual exploitation of children and should be recognized 
for their actions
  The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children From Sexual 
Commercial Exploitation in Travel and Tourism was developed by End 
Child Prostitution Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for 
Sexual Purposes, ECPAT, along with World Tourism Organization, WTO, and 
has been funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). By 
signing the Code of Conduct, travel and tourism companies commit to 
take a series of steps to ensure that they are not facilitating the 
trafficking of children for purposes of prostitution. Law enforcement 
cannot do it alone. It takes a multifaceted approach to discourage sex 
tourism.
  The Code of Conduct requires that the tourism or travel company 
establish an ethical policy regarding sexual exploitation of children; 
train its personnel in the country of origin and travel destinations; 
introduce a clause in contracts with suppliers requiring that they 
repudiate commercial sexual exploitation of children; provide 
information to travelers by means of catalogues, brochures, inflight 
films, and ticket slips; provide information to local ``key persons'' 
at the destinations; and report annually to the Code International 
Steering Committee and the Secretariat at the WTO.
  By reporting yearly, the companies share their experiences and allow 
for annual monitoring and evaluation of the progress and outcomes of 
their endeavors. A Steering Committee made up of international 
independent and voluntary representatives along with ECPAT supervise 
the Code implementation.
  Internationally, more than two hundred companies have signed the Code 
of Conduct. The United States, however, has lagged far behind. That is 
why the willingness of Carlson Companies Inc., Flamingo Travel, Ela 
Brasil and ASTA to sign the Code is so significant. The Carlson 
Companies Inc. is ranked as one of the largest privately held 
corporations in America. Among its brands and services are Regent 
International Hotels, Radisson Hotels, Country Inns and Suites, Park 
Plaza, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Cruise Holidays, Results Travel, 
Raddison Seven Seas Cruises, and Carlson Marketing Group.
  Since signing the Code of Conduct, Carlson Companies Inc. has put 
information about sex tourism and commercial exploitation of children 
on its company website, has run ads and included editorial content in 
its hotel publications, and has included information about this issue 
on their ticket stock. Flamingo Travel, Ela Brasil and ASTA have taken 
similar steps in implementing the Code of Conduct.
  These companies are trailblazers in combating the commercial sexual 
exploitation of children. Their bold stand could save lives. 
Significantly their forthright commitment on this issue puts pressure 
on other American companies in travel and tourism to sign the Code of 
Conduct as well.
  Mr. Speaker, for all the foregoing reasons, I ask my the colleagues 
to join me in applauding the Carlson Companies Inc., ASTA, Flamingo 
Travel, and Ela Brasil for their commitment to implementing the Code of 
Conduct and fighting one of the world's cruelest and most devastating 
industries.

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