WHEREAS, human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his or her will; and

WHEREAS, human trafficking affects as many as 21 million people worldwide, including an estimated 5.5 million children who are trafficked for child labor and sexual exploitation; and

WHEREAS, human traffickers are estimated to exploit an estimated 1.5 million victims in North America alone, despite growing awareness about this crime; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Task Force on Human Trafficking, formed through legislation in 2014, is holding a daylong conference January 30, 2015, in Montgomery, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the task force is looking for ways to stop the exploitation of minors and adults around the state of Alabama, as well as creating awareness about trafficking; and

WHEREAS, the state of Alabama is committed to protecting the vulnerable and ending human trafficking through continued prevention, prosecution, education and awareness:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim January 2015, as

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

in the state of the Alabama.