Supporting the goals and ideals of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, recognizing the tenth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and commending the efforts of modern day abolitionists following in the tradition of Frederick Douglass.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 20, 2011

Supports the goals of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

Recognizes the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Encourages member states of the United Nations (U.N.) and international organizations to devote additional resources to prosecute persons engaged in human trafficking and to dismantle related criminal enterprises.

Encourages the people of the United States to observe the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery by participating in activities designed to heighten public awareness of human trafficking.

Commends the efforts of domestic and international nongovernmental organizations to expose and prevent all forms of modern-day slavery and human trafficking and to assist victims reintegrate into society and notes that such efforts follow in the tradition of Frederick Douglass and other great 19th century abolitionists.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Richardson, Laura [D-CA-37] · D–CA

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

14 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 3, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
Dec 20, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Dec 20, 2011
Introduced in House
Dec 20, 2011
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Dec 20, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Jan 23, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.508 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.508, 112th Congress: Supporting the goals and ideals of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, recognizing the tenth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and commending the efforts of modern day abolitionists following in the tradition of Frederick Douglass.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/508

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres508/BILLS-112hres508ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.508 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.508 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.Res.508, 112th Congress: Supporting the goals and ideals of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, recognizing the tenth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and commending the efforts of modern day abolitionists following in the tradition of Frederick Douglass.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/508

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres508/BILLS-112hres508ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.508 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.508 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.508, 112th Congress: Supporting the goals and ideals of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, recognizing the tenth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and commending the efforts of modern day abolitionists following in the tradition of Frederick Douglass.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/508

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres508/BILLS-112hres508ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.508 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.508 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.508, 112th Congress: Supporting the goals and ideals of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, recognizing the tenth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and commending the efforts of modern day abolitionists following in the tradition of Frederick Douglass.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/508

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-12-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres508/BILLS-112hres508ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.508 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.