[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
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

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