SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 50

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens throughout the country in recognizing January of 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, In commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, President Barack Obama has proclaimed this month National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month; the designation is an effort to heighten public awareness of the disturbing fact that forms of slavery and human trafficking still exist in the modern world; and

WHEREAS, On the national and global levels, human trafficking is a matter of the gravest concern; its victims, men, women, and children, are held in service through force, threats, and fear and suffer physical and sexual abuse and labor exploitation; and

WHEREAS, It is the hope of this state and nation that greater awareness of the issue of enslavement and trafficking will help to facilitate the protection of victims and the prosecution of traffickers; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to pay tribute to local, state, and federal agencies, social service providers, private industry, and nongovernmental agencies for their ongoing efforts to end slavery and human trafficking, and it is further appropriate for the citizens of our nation to recommit to the struggle against this heinous practice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby call upon Texans across the state to recognize January of 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in recognition of this state's recommitment to combating this crime.

West

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 24, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate