“Madam Speaker, right now, there are young women and children being forced into prostitution in virtually every district across this Nation. In fact, I was shocked to learn that my own hometown of St. Louis has been identified as one of the top 20 areas for sex trafficking in the United States”, said Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri.
On July 23, 2014 Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding the crime of sex trafficking in the United States:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a package of human trafficking legislation to be considered by the House today. I also rise to recognize and support all the good work done by my colleagues to combat the hideous crime of human trafficking.
Madam Speaker, as a former United States Ambassador, I was exposed firsthand to the horrors of human trafficking on an international level. I witnessed and reported on the devastating consequences of human trafficking, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think human trafficking was so rampant right here in the United States of America.
Madam Speaker, right now, there are young women and children being forced into prostitution in virtually every district across this Nation. In fact, I was shocked to learn that my own hometown of St. Louis has been identified as one of the top 20 areas for sex trafficking in the United States.
Madam Speaker, this problem is hiding in plain sight. Every year, thousands of young Americans’ lives are impacted by this despicable crime. However, I take hope from all the good work being done by law enforcement and those who work in victims’ services. Most importantly, I take hope from all the survivors of this hideous crime. Their strength gives us strength; their resolve gives us inspiration; and their steadfast commitment to ending sex trafficking gives us all the courage to fight.
Madam Speaker, because of the efforts of many individuals and groups, I am happy to report that Congress has taken notice of this very serious problem. Years of work have raised awareness of this issue and have laid the foundation for the long overdue action that Congress is presently taking. I applaud these efforts, and I look forward to continuing this work for years to come.
However, Madam Speaker, there is much work yet to be done. As legislators, we have an obligation to come together and do something because we can, because we should, and because we must. I urge Senator Reid to take up the bills that the House has already passed that take steps to address this horrible crime, including the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation, or SAVE, Act, which I had the pleasure of passing with overwhelming bipartisan support”, said Wagner.
Source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov/