SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 511
WHEREAS, Nearly 36 million people are held in some form of
slavery today, whether through commercial sexual exploitation,
forced labor, bonded labor, or coerced service as child soldiers,
and human trafficking is the second most profitable global crime,
generating more than $150 billion annually; and
WHEREAS, Four billion of the world's poorest people reside
outside the protection of the effective rule of law; they can be
readily exploited because of inept or corrupt public justice
systems, which permit not only human trafficking and modern
slavery, but also police brutality, rape, illegal land seizure,
and more; and
WHEREAS, Organizations such as International Justice
Mission, Polaris Project, UnBound, and Shared Hope International
work every day to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare,
to bring perpetrators to justice, and to ensure that public
justice systems, including law enforcement, courts, and laws,
are effectively protecting people from heinous crimes; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, human traffickers have
utilized Texas as a conduit, destination, and launching point for
human trafficking and modern slavery; however, the state is a
national leader in introducing and enforcing laws that address
the scourge of human trafficking and slavery, both within its
borders and in neighboring regions; moreover, the state secures
high-quality data to assess the problem through the
unprecedented Texas Slavery Mapping Project; and
WHEREAS, Texans from all walks of life, including
students,businessowners,andpastorsandotherpeopleoffaith
and conscience, have demonstrated support for developing,
funding, and promoting effective antitrafficking and antislavery
measures, including rescue, safe houses, and aftercare for
victims, as well as prosecution and strong repercussions for
perpetrators; residents also advocate for educational
initiatives and for the enactment of antitrafficking and
antislavery laws in the state, in the nation, and throughout the
developing world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby recognize April 10, 2015, as Texas Ending
Modern Slavery Day and commend the officials and organizations
dedicated to helping victims and preventing the victimization of
others.
Taylor of Galveston
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 9, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate