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Senator Rubio Marks The National Day Of Human Trafficking Awareness

Jan 14, 2012 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness, which was established by the U.S. Senate in 2007:

“On this National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness, we highlight the plight of millions of people who are currently enslaved across the globe and right here in the United States.  While it’s easy to think that all forms of slavery ended in the 19th century and could never happen today, the State Department estimates that 700,000 people are newly enslaved each year in sex and labor trafficking.  I admit I was not fully aware of how pervasive this problem was until I came to the Senate, but it’s one that deserves more attention.

“I am a proud co-sponsor of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and hope the Senate will take up this anti-trafficking legislation this year in order to improve it and pass it. I encourage others to join this fight and this worthy humanitarian cause. The first step in combating this crime is awareness, and I urge my fellow Floridians to learn more about human trafficking and what can be done to stop it.”