Press Release - Rep. Smith Joins With Grammy Winner, Administration Officials to Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking

Rep. Smith Joins With Grammy Winner, Administration Officials to Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today presided over a standing room only hearing of the House International Relations Committee where Grammy Award-winning recording artist Ricky Martin and officials from the Bush Administration said raising awareness of human trafficking at home and abroad is vital to bringing an end to these appalling crimes.

"The horrific stories of trafficking victims make us all too aware that this modern form of slavery has silently infiltrated and poisoned the fabric of not only the United States, but of virtually every society in the world," said Smith, who is the author of America's landmark anti-trafficking laws that have created new penalties for traffickers and new protections for the victims, mostly women and children. "It is extremely important that this awareness be amplified, so that public outrage will further motivate those of us in government, shame those who are creating the demand for trafficking victims, and ultimately stop those responsible for perpetrating these human rights violations."

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Smith noted that as a result of TVPA and its reauthorizations "the U.S. government has become a leader in addressing this serious human rights violation and that we need to encourage other governments to follow our lead."

http://www.house.gov/list/press/nj04_smith/rmtrafficking.html