New Committee on Human Trafficking Includes Trucking Voice
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has appointed 15 people, including representatives of the trucking industry, to serve as members of the new Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking.
The committee, required by the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act, includes leaders of organizations that fight modern slavery, academics and representatives of the trucking, bus, rail, aviation, maritime and port industries.
From the trucking industry, American Trucking Associations Vice Chairman Sherri Garner Brumbaugh and Truckers Against Trafficking Executive Director Kendis Paris were selected. Garner Brumbaugh also serves as president of Garner Trucking, which is based in Findlay, Ohio. Truckers Against Trafficking seeks to educate people about combating human trafficking and provides trucking firms with training materials.
Kendis Paris addresses the media at the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2017 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
According to a U.S. Department of Transportation press release issued Oct. 11, the committee is charged with developing strategies for reporting instances of human trafficking, recommendations for DOT-funded programs to combat trafficking and best practices for local transportation officials who lead training and research programs.
Paris told Transport Topics that state departments of transportation play an important role in identifying and stopping human trafficking because they intersect with many modes of transportation. For example, she said that traffickers sometimes walk into departments of motor vehicles trying to obtain fake identification credentials.
“The committee is being formed to really develop a set of best practices for states, particularly for state DOTs,” Paris said.
Garner Brumbaugh also commended Chao for compiling a committee that includes trucking, rail, airlines, buses and maritime groups because of the pervasive nature of trafficking. According to the International Labor Organization, about 40 million people are victims of modern slavery.
Garner said her drivers use training materials produced by Truckers Against Trafficking.
“I know that it’s a scourge on our society. We have to step up and find a solution and combat it,” Garner Brumbaugh said. “With any problem in our society, one person or one group can’t solve the problem. It has to be a collective effort.”
.@SecElaineChao announces 15 new members to @USDOT’s new Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. This committee consists of stakeholders from trafficking advocacy organizations, law enforcement, and the transportation industry. Read more here: https://t.co/nky99MoO7Y pic.twitter.com/VrWMRnaAVb — TransportationGov (@USDOT) October 11, 2018
Trucking’s role in hindering human trafficking has received legislative attention over the past few years. In January, President Donald Trump signed into law the bipartisan No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act, which requires DOT to ban for life professional drivers who are convicted of using commercial motor vehicles for trafficking.
Earlier in 2017, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act, introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), passed the Senate. The bill reauthorizes key programs that support survivors of human trafficking and provides resources to federal, state and local law enforcement officials who specialize in fighting human trafficking.
The individuals were selected for the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking after an application process. They are instructed to submit their recommendations to DOT by July 3, 2019.
“It’s a good group. We have to work quickly and efficiently,” Paris said. “To me, it seems like it’s been a good pick and hopefully we fulfill the mission.”
Catherine Todd Bailey, a former U.S. ambassador to Latvia, will serve as chair. Linda Burtwistle, president of Coach USA and a board member of the American Bus Association, will be vice chair.
