[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, the crime of human trafficking is 
complex and it is destructive. It shatters the lives of its victims and 
their loved ones. In an effort to bring attention to this modern-day 
form of slavery, we recognize January 11, 2014, as National Human 
Trafficking Awareness Day.
  This multibillion dollar criminal industry exists in every State. The 
statistics are stunning, and it is essential this national awareness 
day shed light on a human rights tragedy which occurs in every region 
across our Nation.
  Though the impact of this crime affects men, women, and children, 
approximately 80 percent of all human trafficking victims are women, 
and nearly half are minors. Overall, there are 21 million individuals 
who are victims of forced labor in a $32 billion industry that is only 
second to drug trafficking as the most profitable form of international 
crime.
  Combating human trafficking requires commitment and cooperation at 
all levels of government and among agencies and among nonprofits. I see 
this collaboration taking root in my district in Pennsylvania.
  I was pleased to attend a meeting at Calvary Church in Souderton, 
teaming up with local nonprofit, Worthwhile Wear, poised to address the 
issues of shelter and homelessness as they relate to human trafficking 
prevention and recovery.
  The county-wide Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking created a local 
resource to raise public awareness and help end this horrendous crime 
through community education, victim identification, and legislative 
change. The Coalition has commemorated their 1-year anniversary, and 
their outstanding achievements have been recognized by the county of 
Bucks.
  As the Federal Representative for Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional 
District and a member of the Victims Rights Caucus, I am working to 
support and pass Federal laws to end this heinous crime through the 
introduction of bipartisan legislation that reflects the interests, 
rights, and the needs of victims.
  January 11, 2014 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, but 
every day we must work together, forming a united front against human 
traffickers, and together we can raise public consciousness, prevent 
violence, protect the vulnerable, support survivors, and punish the 
offenders who perpetrate these crimes.
  I appreciate the time on the floor this morning, Mr. Speaker.

                          ____________________