Robert Pittenger: “I thank Judge Poe for his great leadership in this very important area. It is so encouraging to see the bipartisan…”

“I thank Judge Poe for his great leadership in this very important area. It is so encouraging to see the bipartisan commitment. Thank you, Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Maloney, for your strong support. When I came to Congress, it was my perception that human trafficking was a concern found in other parts of the world, certainly not in North Carolina. After talking to our law enforcement, I found out that North Carolina was within the top 10 States for human trafficking. As such, I realized that we needed to take care of our own in our own region and hosted a meeting for public officials, church leaders at the Billy Graham Center. We brought in wonderful organizations, Compassion to Act, Justice & Mercy, Neet's Sweets, and others who have been there on behalf of these women. There are so many important ways that we can provide safety, security, a safe haven for these precious young girls that have been brought into slavery. Human trafficking is one of the most tragic issues plaguing our world today. Nearly 21 million human beings are living in modern-day slavery, including domestic servitude, forced labor, and sex work. As a nation, we have both a moral and a constitutional obligation to protect the most vulnerable in our society from this horrific exploitation. I therefore urge all my colleagues today to join in supporting the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 presented by Congressman Poe.…”