[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 587-588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00099]



[[Page 585]]

Vol. 83

Thursday,

No. 3

January 4, 2018

Part II





The President





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Proclamation 9688--National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
Month, 2018
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 3 / Thursday, January 4, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 9688 of December 29, 2017

                
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
                Month, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During National Slavery and Human Trafficking 
                Prevention Month, we recommit ourselves to eradicating 
                the evil of enslavement. Human trafficking is a modern 
                form of the oldest and most barbaric type of 
                exploitation. It has no place in our world. This month 
                we do not simply reflect on this appalling reality. We 
                also pledge to do all in our power to end the horrific 
                practice of human trafficking that plagues innocent 
                victims around the world.

                Human trafficking is a sickening crime at odds with our 
                very humanity. An estimated 25 million people are 
                currently victims of human trafficking for both sex and 
                labor. Human traffickers prey on their victims by 
                promising a life of hope and greater opportunity, while 
                delivering only enslavement. Instead of delivering 
                people to better lives, traffickers unjustifiably 
                profit from the labor and toil of their victims, who 
                they force--through violence and intimidation--to work 
                in brothels and factories, on farms and fishing 
                vessels, in private homes, and in countless industries.

                My Administration continues to work to drive out the 
                darkness human traffickers cast upon our world. In 
                February, I signed an Executive Order to dismantle 
                transnational criminal organizations, including those 
                that perpetuate the crime of human trafficking. My 
                Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat 
                Trafficking in Persons has enhanced collaboration with 
                other nations, businesses, civil society organizations, 
                and survivors of human trafficking. The Department of 
                Health and Human Services has established a new 
                national training and technical assistance center to 
                strengthen our healthcare industry's anti-trafficking 
                response. The Department of State has contributed $25 
                million to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, 
                because of the critical need for cross-nation 
                collaborative action to counter human trafficking. The 
                Department of Labor has released an innovative, 
                business-focused mobile app that supports private-
                sector efforts to eradicate forced labor from global 
                supply chains. And this month, I will sign into law S. 
                1536, the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial 
                Vehicles Act and S. 1532, the No Human Trafficking on 
                Our Roads Act. These bills will keep those who commit 
                trafficking offenses from operating commercial 
                vehicles, improve anti-human trafficking coordination 
                within Federal agencies and across State and local 
                governments, and improve efforts to recognize, prevent, 
                and report human trafficking.

                In addition to these governmental actions, Americans 
                must learn how to identify and combat the evil of 
                enslavement. This is especially important for those who 
                are most likely to encounter the perpetrators of 
                slavery and their victims, including healthcare 
                providers, educators, law enforcement officials, and 
                social services professionals. Through the Department 
                of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign, all Americans can 
                learn to recognize the signs of human trafficking and 
                how to report suspected instances. By taking steps to 
                become familiar with the telltale signs of traffickers 
                or the signals of their victims, Americans can save 
                innocent lives.

[[Page 588]]

                Our Nation is and will forever be a place that values 
                and protects human life and dignity. This month, let us 
                redouble our efforts to ensure that modern day slavery 
                comes to its long overdue end.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 2018 as 
                National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention 
                Month, culminating in the annual celebration of 
                National Freedom Day on February 1, 2018. I call upon 
                industry associations, law enforcement, private 
                businesses, faith-based and other organizations of 
                civil society, schools, families, and all Americans to 
                recognize our vital roles in ending all forms of modern 
                slavery and to observe this month with appropriate 
                programs and activities aimed at ending and preventing 
                all forms of human trafficking.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                second.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2018-00099
Filed 1-3-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P