[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1428]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING EMPOWERMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2015

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, we recognize January as National Slavery and 
Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In fact, Santa Clara County of my 
Silicon Valley district also proclaimed this month as Human Trafficking 
Awareness Month.
  In the fight against this modern-day slavery, I am proud to introduce 
the vital bipartisan legislation--Survivors of Human Trafficking 
Empowerment Act--alongside my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe, Karen 
Bass, and Rodney Davis.
  Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a disease upon our humanity, and it 
remains the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise. According to 
the International Labor Organization, trafficking is an estimated $150 
billion industry worldwide, which exploits nearly 21 million victims 
around the world.
  Sadly, my home state of California is near the top in reported 
trafficking cases. Furthermore, it is estimated that 40 percent of the 
human trafficking activity on the West Coast comes through the three 
Bay Area airports of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
  My legislation will turn back the tide of human trafficking, as it 
allows those survivors who were impacted by this cruel system to voice 
their experiences and educate policymakers. Specifically, this bill 
will create a survivors-led U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking 
to review federal government policy and programs on human trafficking. 
This council will advise, formulate assessments and recommendations, 
and submit reports to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the 
President's Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking Persons.
  Directly hearing and learning from those who fell victim to this 
heinous crime is the best tool to eliminate human trafficking. 
Ultimately, this legislation values survivors, beyond just their 
stories. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
crucial bill, so that we may finally rid of human trafficking--once and 
for all.
  Mr. Speaker, be it labor or sex trafficking, human trafficking is the 
worst kind of atrocity. Each day, this scourge continues to endanger, 
exploit, and enslave lives. Even as we bring further awareness to this 
crime this month of January, we must sustain the fight each and every 
day.

                          ____________________