Since I live in Virginia, I went to three representatives of Virginia with other Virginians. We spoke with the legislative aides of Congressman Tom Perriello, Congressman Frank Wolf (my representative), and Senator Mark Warner. We expressed our sincere gratitude to Congressman Perriello and Congressman Wolf for co-sponsoring and supporting the CPCA. We also encouraged them to ask other Member of Congress to co-sponsor CPCA and co-sign a letter to Secretary Clinton to support policies within the legislation such as increase funding State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office). We also asked both Congressmen to join the Anti- Trafficking Caucus so they can be aware of human trafficking issues happening in their State or in the U.S.
Senator Mark Warner has not co-sponsor the CPCA yet, so we ask for his support and explained to his legislative aide the problem and how CPCA is a solution to the problem. We also asked for Senator Warner to support section 308 of The Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, S 1631. Section 308 creates additional capacity for an existing law which prohibits importing goods made with forced or indentured labor or by benefit of human trafficking. In English, it means the U.S will deny imports from repeat violators of slave made goods.
We spend about 20 - 40 minutes with each representative's legislative aid and spoke up for 27 million voiceless and vulnerable men, women, children, and families around the world. You don't have to be an expert about human trafficking or any issue to speak up. A good ABC rule to meet with your representative are
Accurate- Provide information that is true. No exaggeration and please don't make things up. If you don't know something, say, "I don't know, but I can find out the information for you when I follow up with you."
Brief- Members and their staff are very busy and so are you. Choose your facts and stories carefully. Practice, Practice and Practice your presentation!
Courteous- Successful advocacy involves building long term relationships with policy makers. You are part of a long term effort in building a strong U.S support and commitment to have functional justice systems that protects the poor and vulnerable. Be respectful- You are building a relationship and stepping stone to end modern slavery.
I followed up with my representative legislative aid and she informed me Congressman Wolf is a member of Anti- Trafficking Caucus. (Thank you again Congressman Wolf for everything you are doing to eradicate human trafficking!)
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I believe we can end slavery in our lifetime and be history makers. We can turn this imagination of a slave free world to become a reality by the way we shop, speaking up about this issue to our representatives, raising awareness, starting a movement....
How can you end modern-day slavery?
*Some of the materials from this Blog was from IJM
Posted by Anna Leung
