[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING MR. ROGER DeHART OF BROWARD COUNTY FOR RAISING AWARENESS 
           ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING BY WALKING OVER 1000 MILES

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2018

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today to 
commend Mr. Roger DeHart, a devoted public servant who walked more than 
1,000 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Washington, D.C., in order 
to raise awareness about human trafficking.
  Roger is a Deputy Officer in the Broward County Courthouse. He began 
training for this walk six months ago, and after pooling his vacation 
time, he set-off from the steps of the Broward County Courthouse to the 
steps of the U.S. Capitol.
  Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and the United 
States is one of the top destinations in the world for trafficked 
victims. Centers of tourism, including Florida, are major destinations 
for human trafficking victims--many of whom come from our own 
communities and schools. Florida now has the third highest rate of 
trafficking in the country, and Broward and Palm Beach Counties rank 
first and fourth respectively for in-state incidences of trafficking.
  We are seeing a disturbing trend of victims being targeted at 
schools, where traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control 
victims and subject them to compelled labor or commercial sex acts. One 
year ago, I led members of the South Florida Congressional Delegation 
in urging the Palm Beach County and Broward County Public Schools 
systems to incorporate human trafficking education into their 
curriculums in order to push back against this horrific crime.
  Mr. Speaker, I am awe inspired by Roger's activism and dedication to 
raising awareness about an issue that is taking place in our community 
and in every state across our nation. Roger deserves a debt of 
gratitude for all that he is doing to bring about real change, and 
working to end human trafficking once and for all. It only takes one 
person to make a difference. I thank Roger for being an unsung hero to 
so many, for his service to our community and to our nation.

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