[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 75 (Monday, May 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING HEATHER BLANEY

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                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2014

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Heather Blaney, a 
sophomore at Westmont High School in my district. Heather is organizing 
a human trafficking panel at her school on May 14, 2014.
  Human trafficking, also called modern-day slavery, is a major 
worldwide problem that the Polaris Projects, a leading anti-trafficking 
group, defines as ``people [profiting] from the control and 
exploitation of others.'' It takes many forms, including forced sexual 
exploitation and forced labor. The hidden nature of the crime makes it 
difficult to get an accurate sense of its scope, but according to the 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there are more than 20 million 
victims worldwide in this $32 billion-a-year industry.
  Heather is completing an assignment in her ``Changemakers'' class, 
where she researched the issue and talked with local law enforcement 
and health workers. The forum she organized will feature numerous 
speakers, including the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 
the Salvation Army, and other local groups who are active in the fight 
against human trafficking.
  The Chicagoland area's position as a popular tourist and convention 
destination with one of the busiest international airports in the world 
unfortunately makes it a hub for human trafficking as well. Heather's 
forum will go a long way toward bringing much-needed awareness to the 
community about the evils of human trafficking.
  Mr. Speaker, and my distinguished colleagues of the House, please 
join me in thanking Heather Blaney for taking the initiative to make 
her community better and help those in need and congratulating her for 
her hard work in organizing this important human trafficking forum at 
her high school.

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