Ted Poe: “I thank Chairman Goodlatte for the time and also his work on this issue of human sex trafficking in the United States. I…”

“I thank Chairman Goodlatte for the time and also his work on this issue of human sex trafficking in the United States. I support this legislation. I also compliment Congresswoman Wagner, Congresswoman Bass, Congresswoman Maloney, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and other women. I mention that because when we presented the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act 2 years ago and worked on that massive legislation that is excellent legislation, I am convinced that it was the women in the United States House of Representatives who got it done. They made sure that this legislation passed, and then they trotted down the hallway to the Senate and--I will use the word--``encouraged'' our Senators to take the bill up, and it passed there, and President Obama did sign the legislation. I am convinced there is nothing more powerful than a woman who has made up her mind, and the women in this House made up their mind about human sex trafficking. I just wanted to point that out. This legislation is important. There are many stories. I am going to talk about a 9-year-old girl who lived not far from where we are today here in the United States Capitol. When Ashley's mother died, she was left alone. Like any lost and lonely child, she sought the comfort that she needed of love and safety. A woman came in to Ashley's life, offering her the care that Ashley was looking for as a 9-year-old: comfort and love.…”