[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 1267-1268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-313]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 1267]]


                Proclamation 8471 of January 4, 2010

                
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
                Month, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The United States was founded on the principle that all 
                people are born with an unalienable right to freedom--
                an ideal that has driven the engine of American 
                progress throughout our history. As a Nation, we have 
                known moments of great darkness and greater light; and 
                dim years of chattel slavery illuminated and brought to 
                an end by President Lincoln's actions and a painful 
                Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity 
                of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are 
                held in compelled service, as well as thousands within 
                the United States. During National Slavery and Human 
                Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms 
                of slavery still exist in the modern era, and we 
                recommit ourselves to stopping the human traffickers 
                who ply this horrific trade.

                As we continue our fight to deliver on the promise of 
                freedom, we commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, 
                which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th 
                Amendment, which was sent to the States for 
                ratification on February 1, 1865. Throughout the month 
                of January, we highlight the many fronts in the ongoing 
                battle for civil rights--including the efforts of our 
                Federal agencies; State, local, and tribal law 
                enforcement partners; international partners; nonprofit 
                social service providers; private industry and 
                nongovernmental organizations around the world who are 
                working to end human trafficking.

                The victims of modern slavery have many faces. They are 
                men and women, adults and children. Yet, all are denied 
                basic human dignity and freedom. Victims can be abused 
                in their own countries, or find themselves far from 
                home and vulnerable. Whether they are trapped in forced 
                sexual or labor exploitation, human trafficking victims 
                cannot walk away, but are held in service through 
                force, threats, and fear. All too often suffering from 
                horrible physical and sexual abuse, it is hard for them 
                to imagine that there might be a place of refuge.

                We must join together as a Nation and global community 
                to provide that safe haven by protecting victims and 
                prosecuting traffickers. With improved victim 
                identification, medical and social services, training 
                for first responders, and increased public awareness, 
                the men, women, and children who have suffered this 
                scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, 
                receive protection and justice, and successfully 
                reclaim their rightful independence.

                Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a 
                shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans 
                to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery 
                and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. 
                Together, we can and must end this most serious, 
                ongoing criminal civil rights violation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as 
                National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
                Month, culminating in the annual celebration of 
                National Freedom Day on February 1. I call

[[Page 1268]]

                upon the people of the United States to recognize the 
                vital role we can play in ending modern slavery, and to 
                observe this month with appropriate programs and 
                activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-313
Filed 1-7-10; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P