Mark Walker

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, for your eloquence on such an important issue. Mr. Speaker, there are millions of victims who are trapped in the United States and around the world who are suffering in silence. In many cases, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who are on the front lines of the fight, are trying to end this heinous crime and help these victims. This legislation codifies some of the good work already being done to train DHS personnel to detect and prevent human trafficking while also ensuring that such training is specific to the professional roles of the personnel who will utilize it. Moreover, this bill will enable the DHS to equip its non-Federal partners to better counter the devastating effects of human trafficking. In closing, I urge my colleagues to support this critically important, bipartisan bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 460, the Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015, the first bill I have introduced as a Member of Congress. A few weeks ago, we took an oath promising to protect the people of this great country. I am convinced that part of this high calling is protecting those who are victims of human trafficking. North Carolina is often ranked as a top State for labor and sex trafficking. This insidious industry is in our own backyard and, unfortunately, it is growing. Just last week, in my own district, local officials announced the formation of the Alamance County Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy Council to respond to the growing human trafficking problem throughout Alamance County. However, they cannot do it alone, and we must come together to stop this unconscionable industry. As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I feel strongly that the men and the women of the Department of Homeland Security have a crucial role in preventing human trafficking. Up to an estimated 17,500 people are trafficked each year into the United States, and many of these victims will pass by either Border Patrol or TSA. We must make certain that these agents are properly trained in the current trends and practices to end human trafficking. This bipartisan legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to train Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant DHS personnel to counter human trafficking in a manner specific to their professional roles and responsibilities. The bill also ensures that such training will be assessed by the Secretary of Homeland Security on an annual basis so that it is based on the most current human trafficking trends and intelligence and directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the number of suspected cases reported by the DHS officials. Lastly, this legislation recognizes the critical role that State and local authorities play in preventing human trafficking by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to make training curricula available to State, local, tribal, and private sector partners. According to the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is one of the most profitable forms of transnational crime in the world, second only to drug trafficking. It is incumbent upon Congress to take action and ensure that DHS personnel are better equipped to prevent this serious threat and this modern-day form of slavery. The Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015 builds on the good work already under way at DHS by mandating position-specific, relevant training to enable effective trafficking countermeasures at points of entry, transit hubs, and other high-risk locations across the country. I would like to thank Congressman Meadows for developing and championing this legislation in the 113th Congress and for working with me to reintroduce the measure in this Congress. Additionally, I would like to thank the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Mr. McCaul, for his work on this important issue and for his support of this bill, as well as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Mr. Katko, for cosponsoring this legislation. Finally, I would like to thank each of the bill's cosponsors, including North Carolina's own Alma Adams, Robert Pittenger, Richard Hudson, Patrick McHenry, and the aforementioned Mark Meadows for their great support of this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 460, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 460) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to train Department of Homeland Security personnel how to effectively deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human trafficking during the course of their primary roles and responsibilities, and for other purposes.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks).

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Wagner for her work in organizing this Special Order, and I also thank Representative Mark Meadows in allowing us to lead with such an important piece of legislation. It was only a week ago that we celebrated the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., who famously said: ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' We now have the opportunity to act upon one of the greatest injustices of our time--the growing criminal industry of human trafficking. All across America, vulnerable young men, women, children, and even entire families, are being victimized and exploited in unspeakable ways. These precious human beings are seen by their traffickers as a commodity, valued only for the profit they can turn. We must not remain silent about such depravity. Rather, we must engage with immediate fervor on this significant humanitarian crisis. Victims of human trafficking can literally be hidden in plain sight. However, we know that the United States is considered a leading destination for human traffickers. It is a top source of income for organized crime and involves more than half the street gangs in our Nation. From our big cities to our small towns, this billion-dollar industry is here. And unless we move quickly, it will be here for some time. It is growing, and it must be eradicated. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and nonprofit groups such as Alamance for Freedom in my own Sixth Congressional District of North Carolina are on the front lines of this battle, and they are pleading for our help. Here in Congress, we hear your voices. Most importantly, we hear the voices of those trapped in this evil, modern-day slavery. There is an immediate need for training that will enable officers and agents to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking. Last week, I introduced my first bill, H.R. 460, the Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation works to effectively train and inform the Department of Homeland Security personnel to better detect and intercept human traffickers and their victims. We took an oath a few weeks ago promising to protect the people of this great country. I am convinced that part of this high calling is to protect those who are victims of human trafficking. Our President even says that the fight against human trafficking is one of the greatest human rights causes of our time, and the United States will continue to lead it. Well, now is the time to lead. This bill will provide the very necessary training skills in identifying victims of human trafficking as they enter and move about across this country. It is not a final step, but an important one that can immediately save these precious individuals from years of abuse. Let us do so with boldness, courage, and an unflinching dedication to those who need us the most.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, it is a true honor to be here today, and I am humbled to serve in Washington following the Honorable Howard Coble. Before ever arriving in these hallowed Halls, I made a promise to always put the people before the politics. Each day upon entering this most historic place, I am reminded that this House belongs to the people. This past November, these same individuals voiced their strong desire for change--real change--with fresh faces and new ideas. As part of my commitment, I have joined several of my colleagues in supporting term limits for Members of Congress. As Members, we must always stay connected with our constituents without falling prey to special interests. It is not always the most popular of choices, but I was sent to Washington to serve the people, and I believe that term limits are needed to ensure that we never lose sight of why we are here.