On the recordJanuary 28, 2015
Those of us who have been blessed with children in the back of our minds always fear for their health and their safety. Maine is one of the safest States in America. Even so, our families have not been immune to the horror of child kidnapping, rape, and sex trafficking. Two years ago, Maine State legislator Amy Volk had the courage to lead a very painful public discussion about the risk of human trafficking in Maine. Her persistence resulted in the awareness of this horrific violence waged against our children living in Maine and those being brought to our State. Yesterday, I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my Republican and Democrat colleagues in the House to unanimously pass the first of a dozen bills to fight the scourge of human trafficking in America. As parents and as public officials, we owe it to our families to help our States and our local communities with stronger law enforcement and tougher criminal penalties for those who prey upon our children. I ask our colleagues in the Senate to now do the same and to help rid this land of the unthinkable horrors of human trafficking. ____________________
