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Reauthorization of the Soar to Health and Wellness Training Program

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 16, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7224, which reauthorizes the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Act. I am proud to co-lead this important bill with the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), and I thank him for his work.

Mr. Speaker, this bill provides healthcare professionals with training on how to identify and appropriately treat victims of human trafficking. Every 2 minutes, a child in the United States falls into the human-trafficking ring.

In 2023, nearly 10,000 cases were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, with over 600 of those occurring in Georgia. At some point during their captivity, many of these victims will come into contact with healthcare professionals. A doctor's visit or an emergency department trip can offer a critical point of intervention for victims and a brief chance when a victim may be able to detach from traffickers.

This legislation will teach healthcare professionals how to properly identify and respond to victims of human trafficking. That is why I applaud Representative Cohen for introducing this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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