From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (http://www.usccb.org/):
Background
H.R. 2200, The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017, would reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000. The TVPA, the original foundational anti-trafficking legislation in the U.S., was created in 2000 and has been reauthorized four times by overwhelmingly bipartisan votes. H.R. 2200 was introduced by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) and Representative Karen Bass (D-CA-37) on April 27, 2017.
Supporting H.R. 2200 is an important step the United States can demonstrate to continue our nation’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking and assist human trafficking victims. H.R. 2200 ensures critical funding for both domestic and international anti-trafficking programs. Reauthorizing the TVPA allows programs and services that recognize the importance of dignified care for human trafficking victims to continue assisting human trafficking victims.
As Catholics, we are called to protect the dignity of all human beings, especially the most vulnerable. The USCCB’s Committee on Migration has issued a letter of support (http://capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/utr/1/ILVOBABEHLK/BQLIBABEHMH/11520422086) for H.R. 2200, but we need your help. Urge your U.S. Representative to pass H.R. 2200 to protect victims of human trafficking by sending the following message:
Dear Representative,
As a concerned Catholic (person of faith), I urge you to support H.R. 2200. I firmly believe in the dignity of the human person and this belief calls on me to protect the most vulnerable, including victims of human trafficking. H.R. 2200 is important, as it reauthorizes the TVPA, providing service provisions that will aid victims.
Supporting H.R. 2200 will ensure that our nation’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking and assist human trafficking victims continues.
I thank Congress for its long-standing commitment to confront modern-day slavery. As a Catholic (person of faith), I stand ready to support victims and appreciate your work to eradicate human trafficking.
Find contact information for your representative at http://www.house.gov.
What Other Things Can You Do?
- Sign Up for JFI Action Alerts: http://capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/utr/1/ILVOBABEHLK/KBQUBABEHMI/11520422086
- Link to Our Trafficking Webinar: http://capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/utr/1/ILVOBABEHLK/LWQIBABEHMJ/11520422086
- Be an Ethical Consumer—Visit the following websites to learn more about which goods may be products of forced or child labor:
- Slavery Footprint: http://slaveryfootprint.org/
- U.S. Department of Labor (List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor): https://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/
- U.S. Department of Labor (Sweat & Toil): https://www.dol.gov/dol/apps/ilab.htm
- CRS (Ethical Trade): http://ethicaltrade.crs.org/
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