[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 97 (Friday, June 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO MELISSA ICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETH VAN DUYNE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 7, 2024

  Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our Texas-24 
Hometown Hero, Melissa Ice. Melissa saw her first incidence of human 
trafficking when visiting China as a missional director for a church in 
Fort Worth. During that time, she also visited women in brothels in 
China, bringing them baked goods and offering them jobs at the bakery 
to help them get out and start a new life. After these experiences, 
Melissa realized how little support there was for homeless women in 
Fort Worth and the young girls on the streets who were being exploited.
  In 2012, Melissa founded The Net, an organization that supports women 
and children in North Texas who have been victims of sex trafficking. 
After six years of doing incredible work providing care and recovery 
for survivors, she went on to found Worthy Co. which gives women 
employment after they graduate from The Net programs. Women employed at 
Melissa's organization have the chance to become artisans, learning 
everything from jewelry making, candle pouring, order fulfillment, and 
shipping. They're also taught life skills, such as time management and 
what it means to work in a healthy environment. Melissa's organizations 
have grown so big that they're opening a secondary location where 
they'll also educate the community about the issue of human trafficking 
and exploitation.
  I'd like to thank Melissa for her dedication to supporting victims of 
human trafficking.

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