National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2011

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8621 of December 22, 2010

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention
Month, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our Nation was founded on the enduring principles of
equality and freedom for all. As Americans, it is our
solemn responsibility to honor and uphold this legacy.
Yet, around the world and even within the United
States, victims of modern slavery are deprived of the
most basic right of freedom. During National Slavery
and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rededicate
ourselves to preventing and ending human trafficking,
and we recognize all who continue to fight this serious
human rights violation.

Human trafficking is a global travesty that takes many
forms. Whether forced labor or sexual trafficking,
child soldiering or involuntary domestic servitude,
these abuses are an affront to our national conscience,
and to our values as Americans and human beings. There
is no one type of victim--men and women, adults and
children are all vulnerable. From every corner of our
Nation to every part of the globe, we must stand firm
in defense of freedom and bear witness for those
exploited by modern slavery.

At the start of each year, Americans commemorate the
Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on
January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was
signed by President Abraham Lincoln and sent to the
States for ratification on February 1, 1865. These
seminal documents secured the promise of freedom for
millions enslaved within our borders, and brought us
closer to perfecting our Union. We also recall that,
over 10 years ago, the Victims of Trafficking and
Violence Protection Act of 2000 renewed America's
commitment to combating modern slavery domestically and
internationally. With this law, America reaffirmed the
fundamental promise of ``forever free'' enshrined
within the Emancipation Proclamation.

We cannot strengthen global efforts to end modern
slavery without first accepting the responsibility to
prevent, identify, and aggressively combat this crime
at home. No country can claim immunity from the scourge
of human rights abuses, or from the responsibility to
confront them. As evidence of our dedication to a
universal struggle against this heinous practice, the
Department of State's ``Trafficking in Persons Report
2010'' included America in its rankings for the first
time, measuring our efforts by the same standards to
which we hold other nations. Looking ahead, we must
continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute
human trafficking cases within our own borders.

Although the United States has made great strides in
preventing the occurrence of modern slavery,
prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal
networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our
work is not done. We stand with those throughout the
world who are working every day to end modern slavery,
bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to
reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all
Americans to educate themselves about all forms of
modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human
trafficking. Together, we can combat this crime within
our borders and join with our partners around the world
to end this injustice.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim January 2011 as
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention
Month, culminating in the annual celebration of
National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the
people of the United States to recognize the vital role
we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe
this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord
two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.