[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON THE ABOLITION OF MODERN-DAY SLAVERY ACT 
                              INTRODUCTION

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                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, 
Representatives Chris Smith, Carolyn Maloney, and Thelma Drake to 
introduce a very important piece of legislation, the Congressional 
Commission on the Abolition of Modem-Day Slavery Act. The United States 
abolished slavery in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, however, 
slavery continues around the world and we must seek ways to end the 
suffering. This bill will establish a highly qualified and bi-partisan 
commission to make recommendations on what the United States can do to 
eradicate slavery in all corners of the Earth.
  According to the International Labor Organization, more than 12.3 
million people are victims of forced labor worldwide. Free the Slaves, 
a non-governmental organization, estimates that upwards of 27 million 
people are slaves today. The U.S. Government says that there are more 
than 14,500 people trafficked into labor or sex exploitation in the 
United States each year; perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans are 
also trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation right here in their 
own country. Each of these individuals is a modern-day slave.
  Modern-day slavery takes many forms, most often different from the 
images found in our own history. Rather than owning their slaves 
outright as in years past, the 21st century slaveholders use threats, 
violence and psychological coercion to keep slaves in dangerous and 
degrading working conditions with little or no pay. In countries around 
the world, slaves can be found in many labor-intensive industries, 
including the agricultural, commercial sex, construction, garment, 
manufacturing and service industries, as well as in domestic service.
  To develop U.S. policy to end this man-made tragedy requires a 
thoughtful analysis of the factors contributing to slavery, a 
coordinated strategy among government agencies, and the political 
commitment of foreign governments to pursue an end to slavery and an 
end to the impunity of slave holders. The Congressional Commission on 
the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery would start this effort by 
examining best practices to prevent modern-day slavery, examining the 
effectiveness of U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of goods 
manufactured or produced through forced labor or child labor, examine 
U.S. policies and relations with countries that tolerate modern-day 
slavery, increase education and awareness about modern-day slavery, 
make recommendations to Congress on actions necessary to combat and 
eliminate modern-day slavery in all its forms, and more.
  It is time to end the exploitation of people around the world. The 
U.S. Congress has the responsibility to study ways the United States 
can end modem forms of slavery and this commission will be the first 
step. There is no place in our world for slavery. Let's work to end it 
now!

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