[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 715-716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00116]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 3 / Wednesday, January 6, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 715]]


                Proclamation 9386 of December 31, 2015

                
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
                Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                One hundred and fifty years ago, our Nation codified 
                the fundamental truth that slavery is an affront to 
                human dignity. Still, the bitter fact remains that 
                millions of men, women, and children around the globe, 
                including here at home, are subject to modern-day 
                slavery: the cruel, inhumane practice of human 
                trafficking. This month, we rededicate ourselves to 
                assisting victims of human trafficking and to combating 
                it in all its forms.

                Human trafficking occurs in countries throughout the 
                world and in communities across our Nation. Children 
                are forced to fight as soldiers, young people are 
                coerced into prostitution, and migrants are exploited. 
                People from all walks of life are trafficked every day, 
                and the United States is committed to remaining a 
                leader in the global movement to end this abhorrent 
                practice. My Administration has made addressing human 
                trafficking issues in supply chains a priority. Earlier 
                this year, the White House brought together private 
                sector and non-governmental organizations to discuss 
                ways to prevent and eliminate trafficking-related 
                activities in Federal contracts and in private sector 
                supply chains. Our National Convening on Trafficking 
                and Child Welfare helped promote partnership and 
                establish coordinated action plans to end human 
                trafficking. Additionally, my Interagency Task Force to 
                Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons has proposed 
                a robust set of initiatives. Our anti-trafficking 
                efforts are supported by a newly established Federal 
                Office on Trafficking in Persons, under the Department 
                of Health and Human Services, which helps ensure 
                trafficking victims can access the services they need.

                As we work to end human trafficking here in the United 
                States, we will continue to lead the effort to root it 
                out around the world. Our intelligence teams have 
                devoted more resources to identifying trafficking 
                networks, law enforcement officers have been working to 
                dismantle those networks, and prosecutors have striven 
                to punish traffickers. We have also enhanced our 
                domestic protections so foreign-born workers better 
                understand their rights. Additionally, my 
                Administration has been working closely with technology 
                companies and law enforcement to better utilize 
                technology to combat human trafficking. And our Nation 
                will continue promoting development and economic growth 
                across the globe to address the underlying conditions 
                that enable human trafficking in the first place.

                All nations have a part to play in keeping our world 
                safe for all people--regardless of age, background, or 
                belief. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking 
                Prevention Month, let us recognize the victims of 
                trafficking, and let us resolve to build a future in 
                which its perpetrators are brought to justice and no 
                people are denied their inherent human rights of 
                freedom and dignity.

                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 2016 as 
                National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
                Month, culminating in the annual celebration of 
                National Freedom Day on February 1. I call

[[Page 716]]

                upon businesses, national and community organizations, 
                families, and all Americans to recognize the vital role 
                we can play in ending all forms of slavery and to 
                observe this month with appropriate programs and 
                activities.

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

[FR Doc. 2016-00116
Filed 1-5-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P