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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 138
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
CHILDREN/MISSING: Memorialize Congress to raise awareness to human trafficking in
the United States and worldwide
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to raise2
awareness of the issue of human trafficking and sex trafficking to abolish this3
modern-day slavery and continue to aid Nigeria in the plight of finding the two-4
hundred seventy-six remaining missing girls.5
WHEREAS, on April 14, 2014, three hundred twenty-nine girls were kidnapped from6
their school in Chibok, Nigeria by dozens of gunmen who stormed the girls' dormitories7
while they were sleeping; and8
WHEREAS, in a region where only four percent of girls complete secondary9
schooling, the kidnapped girls were the best and the brightest; looking forward to bright10
futures as global leaders, teachers, or lawyers; and11
WHEREAS, the girls were abducted by a radical Islamic group called Boko Haram,12
which in English, means "Western education is sinful"; and13
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2012, in testimony before United States Congress, the14
director of national intellegence, James Clapper, included Boko Haram in his worldwide15
threat assessment, stating, "There are also fears that Boko Haram, elements of which have16
engaged al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, is interested in hitting Western targets, such as17
the United States Embassy and hotels frequented by Westerners"; and18
WHEREAS, the United States has offered a seven million dollar bounty for the19
group's elusive leader, Abubakar Shekau; and20 HLS 14RS-4731 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 138
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WHEREAS, the Department of State designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist1
Organization in November 2013, recognizing the threat posed by the group's large-scale and2
indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including women and children; and3
WHEREAS, fifty-three girls were able to escape and have described their4
experiences as extremely distressing; and5
WHEREAS, concern is growing about the safety of those who are still missing; and6
WHEREAS, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted offers from the7
United States of military personnel, law enforcement officials, and other experts; and8
WHEREAS, Boko Haram's militant leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a video in9
which he expresses his abhorrence of Western education, saying that the girls should be10
married instead of being educated and further claims that he will sell the women as he has11
been commanded by Allah; and12
WHEREAS, Abubakar Shekau referred to the girls as slaves and stated that he plans13
to kidnap more girls; and14
WHEREAS, United Nations and the United States have both stressed an absolute15
prohibition against slavery and sexual slavery in international law, making these actions16
crimes against humanity; and17
WHEREAS, the White House press secretary has said that appropriate action must18
be taken to locate and to free these young women before they are trafficked or killed; and19
WHEREAS, Louisiana has taken a most aggressive stand to abolish and condemn20
slavery among women in Louisiana and worldwide.21
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby22
memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to raise23
awareness of human trafficking and sex trafficking to abolish this modern-day slavery and24
continue to aid Nigeria in the plight of finding the remaining two hundred seventy-six25
missing girls.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the27
presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the28
United States of America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.29 HLS 14RS-4731 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 138
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hodges HCR No. 138
Memorializes the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to raise
awareness of the issue of human trafficking and sex trafficking to abolish this modern-day
slavery and continue to aid Nigeria in the plight of finding the two hundred seventy-six
remaining missing girls.