Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey, and we are blessed to have such a human rights activist on our committee and, indeed, in the entire House of Representatives. Thank you so much, Mr. Smith. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us, House Resolution 1412, recognizes the efforts to date of the South African Government to fight human trafficking while urging sustained and expanded efforts for the future. According to the State Department's 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report: ``South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically forced labor and forced commercial sexual exploitation.'' Further, South Africa ``does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.'' As the 2010 Trafficking Report recognizes and this resolution reaffirms, South Africa has, in fact, made notable progress in confronting human trafficking. The recent conviction by the Durban Municipal Court of two individuals on trafficking-related charges is particularly significant and merits recognition. Still, we have a long way to go, Mr. Speaker. Concerns over trafficking in South Africa have been heightened with the commencement of the FIFA 2010 World Cup games which are being held at newly erected stadiums throughout the country.…”