Robert Pittenger: “Chairman Smith, thank you so much for your leadership on behalf of these individuals. Thank you, Chairman Royce, for…”

“Chairman Smith, thank you so much for your leadership on behalf of these individuals. Thank you, Chairman Royce, for your strong leadership as well. Mr. Speaker, right now more than 20 million people worldwide are caught up in modern-day slavery. We call it human trafficking. This isn't just a problem over there. In the city I represent-- Charlotte--Maria was trapped when she answered an ad for an aspiring actress. Rosa was snatched from a local gas station while waiting for a ride. My good friend, Antonia Childs, dreamed of owning a bakery before falling victim to human trafficking. Thankfully, Antonia was rescued and now leads a vital Charlotte organization rescuing women, including Maria and Rosa. As a Nation, we must take responsibility for our part in this horrific, multi-billion-dollar illicit industry. As Members of Congress, we must take an active role in ending human trafficking worldwide. That is why, on January 22, 2015, I became an original cosponsor in support of Chairman Smith's H.R. 515, the International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation. H.R. 515 ensures foreign countries are notified when an American sex offender who has previously abused children is traveling to that country. It encourages foreign countries to provide us with the same vital information when a sex offender is traveling to America. It attacks the sickening practice of child sex tourism by requiring the United States to notify other countries when convicted pedophiles travel abroad.…”