Jeff Fortenberry: “The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act represents the culmination of extensive work…”

“The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act represents the culmination of extensive work and exemplary bipartisan cooperation. It illustrates what we in this House can achieve when we unite in recognition of shared and enduring truth in an effort to defeat one of the world's most glaring injustices. Human trafficking is a singularly merciless and degrading criminal activity. It has deeply tarnished every nation, including our own. Its ruthless perpetrators brutally exploit and devastate the lives of innocent persons, including children, often turning bastions of freedom and civil society into nightmarish realms seemingly beyond the reach of sanctuary. Mr. Speaker, I want to also commend my distinguished colleagues Mr. Smith of New Jersey and Mr. Lantos of California for raising awareness about this cruel enterprise and for leading the Foreign Affairs Committee in taking substantive, credible actions to bring hope and healing to victims of this pernicious global trade in human beings.”