When tackling global issues such as human trafficking, contacting your government representatives and understanding the current laws and legislation is key to playing an active roll on the crisis.
June 24, 2005
Ms Fay Johnson
Los Angeles, California
90024-2796
Dear Ms. Johnson:
Thank you for contacting me about the need to combat
human trafficking. As a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I strongly share your concern and appreciated hearing from you.
According to the 2004 State Department Report on
Trafficking in Persons, 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and
children are trafficked across international borders each year, but some estimates are much higher. Millions more are trafficked within their home countries. While many victims are kidnapped to perform slave labor or as child soldiers, the U.S. Government
estimates that up to three-quarters of all victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
I strongly agree that the United States must continue to take a lead role in combating trafficking by pressuring countries with weak laws and inadequate enforcement and by fighting for strong United Nations action on this issue. I am pleased that on March 11, 2005, the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women adopted a U.S. resolution calling for aggressive and comprehensive international measures to fight trafficking. As you may know, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 972, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which would authorize increased funding and strengthen anti-trafficking programs in the United States and abroad. You can count on me to continue working for its passage and enactment.
To learn more or sign up for e-mail updates about my work in Congress, please visit my web site (See Below)
Thank you again for contacting me and please be in touch on all matters of concern.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
Henry A. Waxman
Member of Congress.