[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           T IS FOR TENACIOUS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, T is for Tenacious.
  Withelma ``T'' Ortiz-Macey who was recently awarded a Woman of the 
Year award by Glamour Magazine exemplifies tenacity.
  T is a survivor of domestic minor sex trafficking, but she does not 
let her past trauma get in the way of her advocacy for other victims of 
this horrendous crime.
  She shares her story with Members of Congress, advocates, the public, 
and other victims in order to put an end to this dastardly deed so that 
no one else ever has to go through the violence and trauma she endured.
   T's life has not been easy.
  She was abused as a child and when she met someone who she thought 
would love and care for her, she was made into a sex slave, her 
innocence crushed.
  Domestic minor sex trafficking is a hidden crime, one that many do 
not realize occurs in communities all over our country.
  Young girls are sold on the street and on the Internet for profit.
  And to make matters worse, these girls are usually treated as 
criminals, when in reality they are victims.
  These girls need specialized treatment, not to be thrown in a jail 
cell.
  And T is working to change this.
  T is an incredible young woman, and I commend her for her great work 
and congratulate her on her recent award.
  And that's just the way it is.

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