Dear partners against trafficking:
Federal Trafficking Law Reauthorization: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act is up for review and reauthorization by Congress this year. This critical, bi-partisan legislation, originally passed in 2000, established the Trafficking in Persons Office—our country’s nerve center for anti-trafficking efforts worldwide—and established human trafficking as a federal crime within our borders. In order to sustain the life-saving programs this legislation supports, the bill must be reauthorized every few years, and is set to expire at the end of September.
The International Justice Mission has launched a campaign to build political support for this bill by partnering with supporters around the country. IJM volunteer advocacy leaders are coordinating a strategic campaign in Washington State to secure the co-sponsorship of our entire Washington Congressional delegation. The effort is organized by congressional districts with a point person for each. To date, district assignments are as follows:
District Assignments:
1–Rep. Inslee (Shoreline/Poulsbo) Stephanie Olson: stephanie.diane.olson@gmail.com
2– Rep. Larsen (Everett/Bellingham) no district leader, contact ecampbell@ijm.org
3– Rep. Beutler (Vancouver) Dannie McQueen—dannie.mcqueen@comcast.net
4– Rep. Hastings (Pasco/Yakima) Ryan & Jamie Brault: rbrault@gmail.com
5– Rep. McMorris Rodgers (Spokane) Patty Avey: pavey52@gmail.com
6—Rep. Dicks (Tacoma, Port Angeles) no district leader, contact ecampbell@ijm.org
7—Rep. McDermott (Seattle) Stephanie Olson: stephanie.diane.olson@gmail.com
8—Rep. Reichert (Mercer Island) Ryan and Jamie Brault: rbrault@gmail.com
Or Contact:
Mike Hogan (IJM-Pacific Northwest) mhogan@ijm.org
Eileen Campbell (IJM – Boston) ecampbell@ijm.org
Each point person is responsible for organizing campaign efforts in their district. Activities include organizing volunteers to assist in the effort; collecting signatures on Abolition Postcards in support of the TVPRA, which will be submitted to Washington’s Senators and Representatives; recruiting pastors to sign a letter of support; pursuing media campaigns, organizing a meeting with that district’s Representative, etc.
To be a volunteer for this important effort, please contact your district point person or the International Justice Mission as outlined above. If you do not know which district you live in, you can go to www.house.gov and type in your zip code and/or address to find out.
Thurston County Human Trafficking Forum – Olympia – August 16th
On August 16, 2011 the Justice and Mercy Foundation is hosting its first Thurston County Human Trafficking Forum in Olympia, Washington. The purpose is to foster awareness and identify strategic responses to domestic minor sex-trafficking in this region. Invitations to the event were sent to government officials, churches, school officials, law enforcement, organizations and individuals involved in the cause, and there will be tables set up for organizations to share information about the services they provide.
The response to the upcoming Forum has been quite favorable, and we are still getting the word out. We want the message to be quite clear about all of our intentions to end trafficking! So, if you know of anyone who is interested, but didn’t receive an invitation, or if you know of an organization who would like space to set up an information table, the registration site is: http://tjamf.eventbrite.com
In addition, please feel free to contact me directly if you would like to reserve a table. The email address is: DannieMcQueen@tjamf.org
Dannie McQueen
Director, Outreach and Policy
The Justice and Mercy Foundation
Helping the World discover a better way to live.
Olympia, Washington • 360.485-9485 (cell)
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