[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  YOUTH ACTIVISM ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2007

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
special group of young people in Ft. Lauderdale, FL who are raising 
awareness about the important and urgent issue of human trafficking.
  As you may know, human trafficking and forced labor is one of the 
most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of 
significant concern to the United States and the international 
community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and 
children.
  According to the most recent Department of State estimates, between 
600,000 and 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year. If 
trafficking within countries and forced labor are included in the total 
world figures, estimates rise to 4 to 27 million people.
  Human trafficking is now considered a leading source of profits for 
organized crime generating billions of dollars. Trafficking in persons 
affects virtually every country in the world. Traffickers exploit 
poverty, war, natural or man-made disasters, and ignorance.
  The students at the Ft. Lauderdale Prep School are raising money to 
combat global human trafficking and they have created a large mural to 
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans-
Atlantic Sale, which occurred on Friday, March 25th. I commend these 
students on their efforts to raise awareness on this issue. The passion 
and motivation of these students are worthy of emulation.

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