[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ARIEN PAULS-EVA MURILLO UNSUNG HERO AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 12, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Arien Pauls was excited for her 
graduation from Bullard High School in 2007 and even more excited to 
head off to Fresno City College. A hard worker, she took a part time 
job at Taco Bell to help pay her bills and tuition. After posting 
online about her lack of funds, she was contacted by her soon to be 
trafficker. She thought he wanted a simple relationship. However, when 
she finally agreed to meet him in person, he forced her into modern day 
slavery.
  He moved her to Los Angeles and cut off all contact with her family 
and friends. For four years, Arien lived out of hotels and suitcases, 
her body being abused by strangers. After being forced to have an 
illegal abortion, she managed to escape with another trafficking 
victim. Luckily, her dastardly trafficker was charged with domestic 
violence.
  Arien has faced many challenges throughout her life. She witnessed 
her mother use drugs and then, in her narcotic induced state, abuse 
her. She was molested by several male family members as a child, but 
she was determined to create a better life for her and her younger 
brother.
  Arien refused to let her tragic past dictate her future. She became 
an advocate for human trafficking victims, using her experiences to 
relate to and help others. She volunteered with Breaking the Chains and 
the Central Valley Justice Coalition, where she shares her story with 
hundreds of young women. Through this group, she is able to educate 
students about the dangers of human trafficking.
  Arien is an unpaid volunteer and works as an assistant catering 
manager to support her 3-year-old daughter. Her dream is to one day 
earn a law degree and use her legal skills to further advocate for 
crime victims.
  Arien's story is one of triumph. She may have endured horrific 
hardships, but she came out the other side stronger and more resilient.
  Each year the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus honors outstanding 
individuals and organizations for their tireless efforts supporting and 
empowering survivors of crime. Co-chaired and co-founded by Jim Costa 
(D-CA) and myself, the bipartisan caucus advocates for crime victims 
and protects programs that provide critical support for related 
services.
  I am honored to announce Arien Pauls as the recipient of the 
Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award. The 
Unsung Hero Award is in memorial of Eva Murillo, a prominent crime 
victim advocate from California. Arien has utilized her experiences to 
promote public education and awareness, public policy development and 
greater awareness about crime victims' rights and needs, as well as her 
stunning achievements and passion for victims' advocacy here today.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________