March 17, 2015
ALBANY, NY – Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, says the following about the Assembly passing anti-human trafficking legislation:
“It was so important for us to take a strong stand against those who are active in this evil, dehumanizing practice,” said Palmesano, one of the bill’s cosponsors. “Our laws should reflect our common values, and strengthening human trafficking laws shows how important it is for us to give a voice to the voiceless.”
Statement from Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) on the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act:
“Today’s passage of the anti-human trafficking legislation by the Assembly is a positive step for the health and safety of all New York’s women. For nearly two years my Senate Republican colleagues and I have been calling on the Assembly’s downstate leadership to follow our lead and put progress ahead of politics. By finally doing what’s right for New York’s women, the new Assembly Speaker has shown a willingness to work together to get results on the critical issues before our state.
“I applaud my Assembly colleagues, Assemblymen Goodell, Giglio and Nojay, who have each been outspoken in support of this legislation and the seven other aspects of the Senate’s Women’s Equality Agenda.
Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R, Gowanda) stated the following:
“Unfortunately, we live in a world, a country, a state where the trafficking of human beings, namely women and young children, for sex, labor and prostitution continues to exist,” said Assemblyman Giglio. “Although New York State has some of the most comprehensive anti-human trafficking laws in the nation, it is critical that we do what we can as a Legislature, a law-making body, to give law enforcement and social service agencies the tools they need to eradicate these crimes. Violent predators that take part in these types of offenses deserve a punishment that fits the crime, and that is what this Trafficking Protection Act does.”
