Turn on the Light - CRS Universityuniversity.crs.org/sites/default/files/Trafficking...o Video, “I...
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1 Turn on the Light AN “I AM HUMAN TRAFFICKING” SOLIDARITY PRAYER WALK MATERIALS o Audio-visual equipment and internet access o Baskets to collect letters o Bible open to Matthew 5:13–16 o Candle for each participant: Consider purchasing fair trade candles from Prosperity Candle, which include a prayer for victims of human trafficking, and lining the route of your solidarity walk with additional candles. o Copies of the solidarity vigil for leader, cantor and readers o Copies of letters to members of Congress personalized for your community. (See options below and letters on pages 8–9.) o Lighter or matches o Music for “Christ, Be Our Light,” Bernadette Farrell, OCP, and song sheets for participants o Pens for participants o Symbolic objects to represent each story: 1. First station: fair trade coffee and other fair trade items 2. Second station: books, cards, pens 3. Third station (optional): An item to represent a local story (see “Preparation” below) o Video, “I am Human Trafficking” from CRS University. o Video, “Lead, Kindly Light,” from CRS YouTube channel, or reflective music o “I am the Cause. I am the Solution” buttons and stickers. Email [email protected] to request them to be sent to you if needed. PREPARATION • This prayer vigil is designed as a solidarity walk. Beginning indoors, participants then prayerfully walk with candles to stations outside to hear stories. Afterward, they move inside for the letter writing and a closing prayer. The walk can be as simple as going around a building. Adjust it as needed for space or inclement weather. 1. Set up the indoor vigil space: § Light the candles and place them in front of the room/church. § Place baskets, copies of letters to Congress and pens near the candles. § Test videos. § Place a Bible and a copy of the solidarity vigil at the podium or lectern. 2. Set up the outdoor walk: § Map your route. § Choose two to three places you’ll stop to hear the stories. Place symbolic objects (see materials list) at each stop. § Optional: Add a station about the Church’s work to combat human trafficking in your community. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ anti-trafficking program or your local Catholic Charities office may have a story.
Transcript of Turn on the Light - CRS Universityuniversity.crs.org/sites/default/files/Trafficking...o Video, “I...
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Turn on the Light AN“IAMHUMANTRAFFICKING”SOLIDARITYPRAYERWALK
MATERIALS
o Audio-visualequipmentandinternetaccesso Basketstocollectletterso BibleopentoMatthew5:13–16o Candleforeachparticipant:ConsiderpurchasingfairtradecandlesfromProsperityCandle,whichincludeaprayerforvictimsof
humantrafficking,andliningtherouteofyoursolidaritywalkwithadditionalcandles.o Copiesofthesolidarityvigilforleader,cantorandreaderso CopiesofletterstomembersofCongresspersonalizedforyourcommunity.(Seeoptionsbelowandlettersonpages8–9.)o Lighterormatcheso Musicfor“Christ,BeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCP,andsongsheetsforparticipantso Pensforparticipantso Symbolicobjectstorepresenteachstory:
1. Firststation:fairtradecoffeeandotherfairtradeitems2. Secondstation:books,cards,pens3. Thirdstation(optional):Anitemtorepresentalocalstory(see“Preparation”below)
o Video,“IamHumanTrafficking”fromCRSUniversity.o Video,“Lead,KindlyLight,”fromCRSYouTubechannel,orreflectivemusico “IamtheCause.IamtheSolution”buttonsandstickers.Emailuniversity@crs.orgtorequestthemtobesenttoyouifneeded.
PREPARATION• Thisprayervigilisdesignedasasolidaritywalk.Beginningindoors,participantsthenprayerfullywalkwithcandlesto
stationsoutsidetohearstories.Afterward,theymoveinsidefortheletterwritingandaclosingprayer.Thewalkcanbeassimpleasgoingaroundabuilding.Adjustitasneededforspaceorinclementweather.
1. Setuptheindoorvigilspace:§ Lightthecandlesandplacetheminfrontoftheroom/church.§ Placebaskets,copiesofletterstoCongressandpensnearthecandles.§ Testvideos.§ PlaceaBibleandacopyofthesolidarityvigilatthepodiumorlectern.
2. Setuptheoutdoorwalk:§ Mapyourroute.§ Choosetwotothreeplacesyou’llstoptohearthestories.Placesymbolicobjects(seematerialslist)at
eachstop.§ Optional:AddastationabouttheChurch’sworktocombathumantraffickinginyourcommunity.TheUnitedStates
ConferenceofCatholicBishops’anti-traffickingprogramoryourlocalCatholicCharitiesofficemayhaveastory.
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§ Optional:Linetherouteofyoursolidaritywalkwithcandles.• Preparecantortolead“Christ,BeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCP.• Prepareoneleaderandfourtofivereaders.Giveeachreadercopyofthissolidarityvigilwiththeirparthighlighted.• Preparesomeonetoplaythevideo(s).• PreparetheletterstoyourmembersofCongress.Choosefromoneofthefollowingtwooptions.Alternatively,youcanuse
theonlineletterifitworksbetterinyoursetting.
OPTION1:PARTICIPANTSIDENTIFYTHEIRMEMBERSOFCONGRESSDURINGTHEVIGIL.o Thisoptionispreferableifparticipantsrepresentmanydistricts(i.e.,auniversitysettingwherestudentsarefromdifferent
statesordifferentpartsofthestate).o Thisapproachrequiresparticipantstoaccesstheinternet.Youcaneithersetuplaptops/tabletsconnectedtoWi-Fiorrely
onparticipantstousetheirsmartphones.o Ifyouchoosethisoption,makecopiesofeachletterasisfrompages8-9*foreachparticipant.Eachpersonwillneedthree
letters:oneforeachoftheirtwosenatorsandonefortheirrepresentative.o Duringtheevent,youwillshowparticipantshowtoidentifytheirsenatorsandrepresentative,andhowtoaddressthe
letters.Theywillcompletetheletterswiththedateoftheeventandthenameofthecommunity(parish,school,etc.)thatishostingthesolidarityvigil,andotherinformation.
o Duringtheletter-writingsection,offertoshowparticipantshowtofindtheirmembersofCongressonlineatconfrontglobalpoverty.com/toolkit,usingthe“Findyourdistrict”buttonunderthesectionlabeled“MeetwithCongress.”AskthemtoentertheirZIPcodewhenprompted.Aftertheyenterit,thenamesoftheirtwosenatorsandrepresentativewillpopup.Theyshouldwritethefullnamesoftheirsenatorsandrepresentativeatthetopoftheirlettersonthelines,“TheHonorable___________”and“DearSenator(s)/Representative_________”
OPTION2:ORGANIZERSPREPARETHELETTERSWITHSENATORS’ANDREPRESENTATIVES’NAMESINADVANCE.o Thisoptionispreferableifthemajorityofparticipantsarefromthesamestateanddistrict.o Copyandpastethesampleletteronpages8–9*intodocumentswithyourinstitution’sletterhead.Visit
confrontglobalpoverty.com/toolkitandclickonthe“FindYourDistrict”buttonunderthe“MeetWithCongress”section.EntertheZIPcodewhereyourinstitutionislocated.Thenamesofyourtwosenatorsandrepresentativewillpopup.
o Pre-addresstheletterstothesenatorsandrepresentativelisted.Addthedateoftheeventandthenameofthecommunity(parish,school,etc.)thatishostingthesolidarityvigil.
o Printcopiesforparticipants.Eachparticipantwillreceivethreeletters:twofortheirsenatorsandonefortheirrepresentative.
• *Pleasereviewpage11toseewhetheryourrepresentativesarealreadycosponsorsoftheBusinessSupplyChainbill.Iftheyare,completethethankyouletteronpage10,andaddressittothesenatororrepresentativewhohassignedthebill.Pleasebesuretoadd,“UnitedStatesSenate,”or“UnitedStatesHouseofRepresentatives,”onthefirstfulllineandinclude“Senator”or“Representative,”beforehisorhername.
• Yourletterswillhavethemostimpactiftheyarehanddeliveredtolocaloffices.CheckoutthesetipsonhowtosetupameetingwithyourmemberofCongress.And,afteryourvisit,letCatholicsConfrontGlobalPovertyknowyouhadameetingandhowitwent.
• Ifyoucan’thanddelivertheletterstomembers,it’sbesttomailthemtotheirlocalordistrictoffices.Ifyouaremailingletterstoseveralstatesand/ordistricts,besuretomailthelettersseparatelytoeachsenatorandrepresentative.Youcanfindsenators’addressesbyvisitingwww.senate.gov,andrepresentativesbyvisitingwww.house.gov.
• Ithelpstosendalongacopyofanypresscoverageofthesolidarityvigilalongwiththeletters.Also,besuretofollowupwitheachmemberofCongressyousentalettertosoyou’llknowwhethertheyreceivedit.
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WelcomeandopeningprayerLEADER:Wegathertogethertoprayforallpeoplewhoexperiencehumantrafficking.InthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit…GodofLight,Weprayforallofthepeople—men,womenandchildren—hiddeninthedarknessofslavery.Helpusshineyourlightintothehomes,streets,factoriesandbrothelsinourownneighborhoodsandaroundtheworldwherepeopleareenslaved.Thedarknessisaslight,toyou,OLord.Nopersoninanycorneroftheworldishiddenfromyoursight.Helpusshineyourlight.Amen
OpeningsongCANTORLEADS:“ChristBeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCP
GospelreadingREADERONE:AreadingfromtheGospelofMatthew:[Jesussaid:]“YouarethesaltoftheEarth.Butifsaltlosesitstaste,withwhatcanitbeseasoned?Itisnolongergoodforanythingbuttobethrownoutandtrampledunderfoot.Youarethelightoftheworld.Acitysetonamountaincannotbehidden.Nordotheylightalampandthenputitunderabushelbasket;itissetonalampstand,whereitgiveslighttoallinthehouse.Justso,yourlightmustshinebeforeothers,thattheymayseeyourgooddeedsandglorifyyourheavenlyFather.”(Matthew5:13-16)TheGospeloftheLord,RESPONSE:PraisetoYou,LordJesusChrist.
TurnonthelightLEADER:IntheGospelreading,Jesussaysthatwearethelightoftheworld,senttoshineourlightbeforeothers.Beingthelightandturningonthelightevermorebrightlymeansthatwearecalledtotaketimetoprayabout,educateotherson,andtakeactiontochangethesocialinjusticesthatareoftenkepthidden.Asyoumayknow,humantraffickingisoneoftheseinjustices.Werecallthetruthofthemantra,“IamtheCause.IamtheSolution.IamHumanTrafficking.”Humantraffickingismodernslaverythathappensinbothourlocalcommunitiesandtoourbrothersandsistersaroundtheworld.Men,womenandchildrenarekidnappedorcoercedintolabororsexualexploitation.Traffickingincludesforcedworkonfarms,andinfactories,hotels,restaurantsandotherindustries.Hoursarelong,conditionsarepoor,andworkerslaborforlittleornomoney.Victimsofsextraffickingmayworkinbrothels,stripclubsoronthestreets.Humantraffickingisan
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insidiousevil—prevalentbutoftenunnoticed.Victimsaretooafraidtospeakup.Theirtraffickersthreatenfurtherharmtothemortheirfamiliesiftheydo.Humantraffickingisthethirdmostprofitableorganizedcrime,afterdrugsandweaponssales,withcloseto$150billioninannualrevenue.Traffickersexploitalreadyvulnerablepeople—womenandchildren,migrantworkers,indigenousanddisplacedpeopleandthoselivinginextremepoverty.Humantraffickingismostprevalentinsocietieswithwideeconomicandsocialdisparities.Fifty-fivepercentofforcedlaborvictimsand98percentofsex-traffickingvictimsarewomenandgirls.Tonight,wepraythatwemightturnonthelightsothattraffickedindividuals—sometimeshiddeninplainsight—willbeseen.Wealsopraythatwemayshineourlightontherootcausesofhumantrafficking:themanyinjusticesthatcauseourglobalbrothersandsisterstoliveindesperatecircumstances,riskingtheirsafetytoearnmoneytosupportthemselvesandtheirfamilies.PLAYVIDEO:“IamHumanTrafficking”fromCRSUniversity.Wewillnowlistentostoriesthatillustratethedarknessoflaborandsextrafficking.We’llprayforallofthechildren,womenandmenaffectedandreflectonwayswecanshinealightonthisinjustice.Pleasetakeacandleandthenfollowmeaswebeginaprayerfulwalk.Wewillsingthechorusof“ChristbeOurLight”(orremainsilent)aswewalk,andpauseintwo(orthree)placestoprayforvictimsoflaborandsextrafficking.Aswewalk,werememberthattraffickingvictimsareoftenforcedfromoneplacetoanother,andthatwemaybepassingthembywithoutnoticingthem.CANTORTOLEAD:Chorusof“ChristBeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCPParticipantswalkoutsidetofirststation.
SolidaritywalkREADERTWO:ThestoryofmodernslaveryonBraziliancoffeefarmsoftenstartswhenworkersarerecruitedbylaborbrokers,or“gatos,”andtransportedtoremotefarms.Gatosoftenpromiselegitimateworkasaruse.Sowhileworkersmay“freelyaccept”employment,theyaredoingitunderfalsepretensesabouttheworkandpay.Fromthemomentworkersstepontothebusesthattakethemtothefarms,theyincurdebt:Gatoschargeworkersforthetrip.Andthemomenttheyleavetheircommunities,theworkersarecutofffromthesocialsupportnetworkstheyturntointimesofneed.Thedistancebetweenthefarmsandthecommunitiestheycallhomemakesthemevenmorevulnerable.Livingconditionsonthesefarmsaresqualid:Imaginehouseswithdirtfloorsandnorunningwater,notrashcansandnosystemfordisposingofsolidwaste.Workerssleeponthinmatsbecausetherearenobeds.Theycookoveropenflamesonthefloorbecausetherearenostoves.Thereisnorefrigeration.Workersmustpiletheirtrashneartheirhomes,walklongdistancesforwater,andgotothebathroominforestsoropenfields.Theworkisgrueling.Thedaysarelong.Foodisscarce,expensiveandofpoorquality.Breaksarelimited.Paymentsareoftenirregularandfrequentlylessthanwhatwaspromised.Anddeductionsaremadeforlodging,food,suppliesandequipment.Someworkersarenotpaidatall.Fromthemomenttheystarttheirjourneyintoforcedlabor,workersbeginpilingupdebt.Theymustworktopayfortransportationtothefarm,protectiveequipment,rentforthemiserablelodging,andforfoodandsuppliesfromstoresownedbythefarm.
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Workersoftenhavenoideatheyareindebtuntiltheytrytoleaveandaretoldtheycan’tgountiltheysettletheiraccounts.1[PAUSE]God,helpusturnonthelightinfarmsandfactorieswherelaborersaremistreatedandtrapped.Onewaywecanbethesolutionisbybuyingcoffee,foodandothergoodsthataremadeinethicalworkingconditions.Wehelpsustainhumantraffickingbypurchasingcoffeegrownonfarmsliketheonedescribed.Sothenexttimeyougotothestore,checktoseewhetheryourgrocerylistincludesfairtradeitems,eveniftheycostafewdollarsmore.Aswejustheard,sometimesadealonourendcomesatagreatcosttosomeoneelse.CANTORLEADS:Chorusof“ChristBeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCPPARTICIPANTSWALKTONEXTSTATION.READERTHREE:“IfIhadtriedtoescape,thebrokerswouldhavebeatenme…Theykeptwoodenrods.”Thesewerethewordsof22-year-oldShanti,*avictimofsextraffickinginIndia’sbrothels.Shanti'spathfromaruralvillagetoabig-citybrothelwasonethatmanyyounggirlsinIndiahaveunwittinglyfollowed.Growingupinfarmcountrytakingcareofcattleanddoinghouseholdchores,asateenagerShantiknewlittleaboutcitylife.Andsheknewnothingabouthumantrafficking—thebuyingandsellingofpeopleintoforcedorunpaidbegging,prostitutionorlabor.WhenalocalmoneylenderencouragedShantitotakeajobasahousekeeperinMumbai,sheagreed.Afewdayslater,Shantirealizedsomethinghadgoneterriblywrong.Shesaid,“Iwastoldhesoldmeandanothergirlfor[$1,200].”Shantiworkedforher“brokers”for3years,unabletoleave.Oncewhenshewassittingoutsidethebrothel,hermadamaccusedheroftryingtoescape.“Themadamhitmewithaburningstick,”shesaid,showingthescar.Shantiandotherwomeninthebrothelwerefinallysetfreeafterapoliceraid.Theymighthavehadnowheretogo,butaCatholicReliefServicespartnerinIndiathatworkstoendsextraffickingprovidedcounseling,jobskillstrainingandotherservices.CRSprojectssupportedbyCatholicsintheUnitedStatesassistpoorandvulnerablepeopleinmorethan100countriesworldwide.Shantilearnedbookbindingandgotajobataprintshop,wheresheandseveraldozenotheryoungwomenmakebusinesscards,notebooksandotheritems.2
Withoutsupportandotheroptions,manywomenwhoescapeprostitutionmaybesexuallyexploitedagain.
[Pause]God,helpusturnonthelightinthebrothels,onstreetcornersandwhereverwomenarevictimsofsextrafficking.MaywesupporttheworkofChurch—locallyandaroundtheworld—toputanendtothiscrimeandhelpvictimsrecover.Formorethanadecade,theUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishopshasbeenanationalleaderinthefightagainstsexandlabortrafficking.TheUSCCBanditspartnershaveprovidedservicestovictimsofhumantrafficking,assistingmorethan2,232survivorsandmore
*Namechanged.
1.Storyadaptedfrom“ThisisWhatModernSlaveryLooksLike,”Coffeelandsbloghttp://coffeelands.crs.org/2015/12/this-is-what-modern-slavery-looks-like/
2.Storyadaptedfrom“HelpingSurvivorsofIndia’sSex-SlaveTrade,”http://www.crs.org/stories/helping-survivors-indias-sex-slave-trade
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than500oftheirfamilymembers.CRShasworkedinternationallythroughmorethan100programsinmorethan35countriestoreducehumantraffickingand,throughpublic-privateinitiatives,hasrecentlyengagedcorporationstohelperadicateslavelabor.CANTORTOLEAD:Chorusof“ChristBeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCP[optional:PARTICIPANTSWALKtonextstation,whichwouldhighlightalocalstory.]PARTICIPANTSEXTINGUISHTHEIRCANDLESANDWALKBACKINDOORSTOTHEIRSEATS.LetterwritingLEADER:Weshouldnotonlysupporteffortstohelpthosewhohavebeentraffickedre-entersociety,wealsomustworktostophumantraffickingbyexposingtheunjustconditionsthatallowittoflourish.Workingwithgovernmentstopreventhumantraffickingandadvocatingforbusinessestokeeptraffickingoutoftheirsupplychains,wecanendthispracticeandhonorhumandignity.PopeFrancissays:“Businesseshaveadutytoensuredignifiedworkingconditionsandadequatesalariesfortheiremployees,buttheymustalsobevigilantthatformsofsubjugationorhumantraffickingdonotfindtheirwayintothedistributionchain.Togetherwiththesocialresponsibilityofbusinesses,thereisalsothesocialresponsibilityofconsumers.Everypersonoughttohavetheawarenessthat'purchasingisalwaysamoral—andnotsimplyaneconomic—act.’”Wecanbemindfulconsumersbypurchasingitemsmadewithrespectforworkersandinconditionsthatupholdhumandignity.Wecanaskourgovernmentleaderstorequirecompaniestomakeinformationabouttheirproducts’supplychainspublic.Thiswouldhelpensurethatproductsarenottheresultofchildandforcedlabor,slaveryandhumantrafficking.TheCatholicChurchiscommittedtodefendinghumanlifeanddignity.Theproposedlegislationwouldplayanimportantandcriticalroleinenhancingrespectforhumandignitybyfightingconditionsthatenablehumantrafficking.Inamoment,Iwilldistributethreeletterstoeachperson:oneforeachofyoursenatorsandoneforyourrepresentative.ThelettersaskthemtocosponsortheBusinessSupplyChainTransparencyonTraffickingandSlaveryAct.Wemakeadifferencewhenweliftupourvoicestogether,butit’salsoimportantthatyoupersonalizeyourmessagetoyourmembersofCongress.Iinviteyoutotakeafewmomentstoedittheletterbyaddingyourname,afewlinesaboutwhythisissueisimportanttoyou,andyoursignatureandhomemailingaddress.Pleasealsofillintheblanksaboutthisevent,notingthenameofourinstitutionandyourrolehere(e.g.,student,parishioner,etc.).Afteryousigntheletter,placeitinoneofthebaskets(atthefrontof/aroundthe)church.Note:Pleaseadapttheseinstructionsasneededifasmallgroupwillhanddelivertheletterstolocalcongressionaloffices.DISTRUBUTELETTERSANDPENS.[IFYOUAREASKINGPARTICIPANTSTOFINDTHEIRMEMBERSOFCONGRESS:Directthemtousetheirsmartphonesorlaptops/tabletstoaccesstheconfrontglobalpoverty.com/toolkitandaskthemtoclickonthe“Find”buttontoentertheirZIPcodeandidentifytheirsenatorsandrepresentative.]
PLAYVIDEO:“Lead,KindlyLight”fromCRS’YouTubechannelorplayreflectivemusicwhileparticipantswritetheirletters.
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ClosingprayerREADERFOUR:InthenameoftheFather,andoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit…DearJesus,Inyourname,wecloseourprayertonight.Aswebringforthlighttodefytheclaimsofdarkness,Aswebringforthjoyandsongtodefytheclaimsofsadness,Aswebringforthaspiritofgenerositytodefytheclaimsofwant,Aswebringforthpeacetodefytheclaimsofwar.Thatinthedarkest,saddest,mostwanting,warringcornersoftheworld,AllmaylooktoBethlehem,Whereinthehumblestofcircumstances,Inatimeofrepression,Fromthepersonofapoorrefugeewoman,Inthefilthofamanger,Intheformofamostvulnerablechild,Youcameamongustosay,“No,thereisalightinthisworld.”Letusbealighttoothers.LetusbethefruitofthebranchofJesse’stree.Letusbethebearersoftheindescribablegiftthatisyourgrace.Andsodefyallfalseclaimsonyourpeopleandtheirdignity.Mayyoubebornanew,intoeveryseasonIntoeveryageIntoeverylandandeveryhumanheart.Come,LordJesus,come.Amen
ClosingsongCANTORLEADS:“ChristBeOurLight,”BernadetteFarrell,OCP
228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org
TheHonorable____________________________UnitedStatesHouseofRepresentativesAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________________DearRepresentative________________________________,Mynameis________________________________,andIamdeeplyconcernedaboutchildandforcedlabor,slaveryandhumantrafficking,bothabroadandwithintheUnitedStates.Asa___________________at___________________,Iamlearningaboutthisissueandhowtohelpourbrothersandsistersinneed.On____/____/____wehostedaprayerwalkformembersofourcommunitytopray,learnaboutandadvocateforanendtomodernformsofslaverylikehumantrafficking.Asyourconstituent,IurgeyoutocosponsorandsupportpassageoftheBusinessSupplyChainTransparencyonTraffickingandSlaveryActof2015,H.R.3226inthe114thCongress. Icareaboutthisissuebecause_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ibelievethatwecanfighthumantrafficking—andthislegislationplaysanimportantroleinachievingthatgoal.Iurgeyoutocosponsorandsupportthisbilltohelpensurethatproductsarenottheresultofchildandforcedlabor,slaveryandhumantrafficking.Thankyouforhearingmyconcerns.Sincerely,________________________________Homeaddress:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org
TheHonorable____________________________UnitedStatesSenateAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________________DearSenator________________________________,Mynameis________________________________,andIamdeeplyconcernedaboutchildandforcedlabor,slaveryandhumantrafficking,bothabroadandwithintheUnitedStates.Asa___________________at___________________,Iamlearningaboutthisissueandhowtohelpourbrothersandsistersinneed.On____/____/____wehostedaprayerwalkformembersofourcommunitytopray,learnaboutandadvocateforanendtomodernformsofslaverylikehumantrafficking.Asyourconstituent,IurgeyoutocosponsorandsupportpassageoftheBusinessSupplyChainTransparencyonTraffickingandSlaveryActof2015,S.1968inthe114thCongress.Icareaboutthisissuebecause_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ibelievethatwecanfighthumantrafficking—andthislegislationplaysanimportantroleinachievingthatgoal.Iurgeyoutocosponsorandsupportthisbilltohelpensurethatproductsarenottheresultofchildandforcedlabor,slaveryandhumantrafficking.Thankyouforhearingmyconcerns.Sincerely,________________________________Homeaddress:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org
TheHonorable____________________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________Dear_____________________________________,IamwritingtothankyouforcosponsoringtheBusinessSupplyChainTransparencyonTraffickingandSlaveryActof2015,S.1968/H.R.3226inthe114thCongress.Asyourconstituent,Iappreciateyourtakingthisstandtohelpstoptheuseofslavelabor,forcedlaborandchildlaborintheproductsIpurchase.Asa___________________at___________________,Iamlearningaboutthisissue,andhowtohelpourbrothersandsistersinneed.On____/____/____wehostedaprayerwalkformembersofourcommunitytopray,learnaboutandadvocateforanendtomodernformsofslaverylikehumantrafficking.Asyouknow,humantraffickingisanaffronttohumandignity.PopeFrancissays,“Businesseshaveadutytoensuredignifiedworkingconditionsandadequatesalariesfortheiremployees,buttheymustalsobevigilantthatformsofsubjugationlikehumantraffickingdonotfindtheirwayintothedistributionchain.”We,asconsumers,alsohavetherighttoknowhowtheproductswepurchasewereproduced.PopeFranciscallsonallofustohave“theawarenessthat‛purchasingisalwaysamoral—andnotsimplyaneconomic—act.’”PleaseinviteyourcolleaguesinCongresstocosponsorandsupporttheBusinessSupplyChainTransparencyonTraffickingandSlaveryActof2015inthe114thCongresstohelpensurethatproductsarenottheresultofchildandforcedlabor,slaveryorhumantrafficking.Ibelievethatwecanfighthumantrafficking,andthislegislationplaysanimportantroleinachievingthatgoal.Thankyou,again,forcosponsoringthisimportantlegislation!Sincerely,________________________________Homeaddress:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
228W.LexingtonStreet,Baltimore,MD21201Formoreinformation,visitcrs.org
Cosponsors BUSINESSSUPPLYCHAINBILLThefollowingsenatorsandrepresentativesarecosponsorsofthebusinesssupplychainbill.Ifanyofthemrepresentyourdistrictorstate,pleasethankthemusingtheletteronpage10,ortheSenateorHousememberthank-youemail.Forthemostup-todateinformation,pleasevisittheLibraryofCongress.
ARIZONARepresentativeRaulGrijalvaRepresentativeKyrstenSinemaCALIFORNIARepresentativeTedLieuRepresentativeZoeLofgrenRepresentativeJuliaBrownleyCONNECTICUTSenatorRichardBlumenthalRepresentativeJamesHimesDCRepresentativeEleanorHolmesNortonIOWARepresentativeDavidLoebsackMASSACHUSETTSSenatorEdwardMarkeyRepresentativeMichaelCapuanoMICHIGANRepresentativeDanielKildee
MINNESOTASenatorAlFrankenRepresentativeBettyMcCollumRepresentativeKeithEllisonNEWJERSEYRepresentativeChrisSmithRepresentativeLeonardLanceNEWYORKSenatorKirstenGillibrandRepresentativeCarolynMaloneyRepresentativeNitaLoweyRepresentativeNydiaVelazquezOREGONRepresentativeEarlBlumenauerRHODEISLANDRepresentativeDavidCicillineWISCONSINSenatorTammyBaldwinRepresentativeGwenMoore
