WHEREAS, President Barack Obama declared January 2011 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in National Freedom Day on February 1, 2011; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama called “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, Our Nation was founded upon the principle of freedom, and we affirmed this principle with ratification of the 13th amendment that guaranteed people within our borders protection from slavery; and

WHEREAS, Americans are committed to individual freedom and will do all they can to help eliminate modern day slavery, which includes human trafficking, early and forced marriage, forced labor, bonded labor, and slavery by descent; and

WHEREAS, Beyond all differences of race, creed, or political persuasion, Americans are one people who must face national threats together, and while they now live with a heightened awareness of human trafficking and other forms of modern day slavery, they refuse to allow them to continue; and

WHEREAS, Human trafficking can result in many forms. Sexual slavery, involuntary domestic servitude, and child soldiering are just a few of the abuses that men, women, and children are subjected to; and

WHEREAS, The Department of State’s “Trafficking in Person Report 2010” includes the United States in its rankings for the first time in its 10-year history showing the United States as a growing magnet for traffickers to conduct their illegal and inhumane business; and

WHEREAS, The Central Intelligence Agency estimated that approximately 15,000 to 17,000 men, women, and children are trafficked into the United States every year, making the United States one of the top three trafficking destinations along with Japan and Australia; and

WHEREAS, California is a prime destination for human trafficking, along with other states including New York, Texas, and Nevada; and

WHEREAS, California’s unique demography make it a particularly vulnerable location for human trafficking because of its extensive international border, numerous ports and airports, and overall large economy; and

WHEREAS, Apart from the harm that this crime causes its victims, secondary consequences of human trafficking can severely affect California communities. The link between human trafficking and other criminal activities including, but not limited to, human smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime, increases the potential for other violent crime. The United States Department of State reports that the impact of human trafficking on surrounding communities includes increased crime and gang activity, child exploitation, public health problems, and depressed wages; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes the vital role California can play in preventing and one day ending modern slavery; now, therefore, be it