BILL NUMBER: SCR 76ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE JULY 1, 2010 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 12, 2010 INTRODUCED BY Senator Corbett (Coauthors: Senators Hancock and Yee) FEBRUARY 19, 2010 Relative to human trafficking. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 76, Corbett. Human trafficking awareness. This measure would proclaim the Legislature's support of human trafficking awareness events. WHEREAS, The Legislature of California recognizes the significant moral and economic harm of forced labor and human trafficking to both the State of California and global citizens, and that ignoring this problem is detrimental not only to those enslaved but to society as a whole; and WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes that California is a major point of entry and destination for slave trafficking, due to the state's unique location, economy, and population, and that combating slavery within California will serve to improve conditions both domestically and internationally; and WHEREAS, By ignoring the problem of forced labor and human trafficking within the State of California, we deny its victims the hope and promise of the American dream and our freedoms, and the promise of California. Where that promise has been contorted as a lure to ensnare the hopeful and force them into slavery, it is fitting and proper to restore their freedom and allow them a chance to succeed in the "Land of the Free"; and WHEREAS, President Barack Obama proclaimed January 2010 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and calls "upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery" and that fighting this scourge is a shared responsibility; and WHEREAS, This battle is fought on many fronts by international, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and by prosecutors, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private industry, and individuals; and WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes that increased public awareness will allow individual Californians more opportunities to recognize and combat slavery; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages its members, as well as organizations, businesses, and individuals, to host or sponsor and attend community events in order to bring visibility and support to these efforts to recognize and combat slavery; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby supports human trafficking awareness events of nongovernmental organizations; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all Californians to become educated about human trafficking and slavery, and work to eradicate these criminal practices within and beyond our borders; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.