Fighting to end modern-day slaverySmith marks 188th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery—the namesake of his anti-human trafficking legislation

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a longtime leader in the global fight against human trafficking, today commemorated the 188 th anniversary of famed abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery on September 3 rd , 1838. “Today, we mark 188 years since former slave Frederick Douglass—one of the most influential and awe-inspiring figures in American history—courageously self-emancipated from the shackles of slavery,” said Smith, a staunch and prolific human rights lawmaker. “After attaining freedom in New York City, Frederick dedicated the rest of his life to the noble cause of abolishing slavery and helping other enslaved individuals break free from bondage. In recognition and appreciation of Frederick’s lifelong fight for freedom, I have continued to name America’s key reauthorization bill to combat human trafficking—the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 ( HR 1144 )—in his honor. “HR 1144 reaffirms and strengthens the United States’ commitment to combating and ending modern-day slavery, enhancing programs and creating initiatives to protect survivors, prosecute traffickers, and prevent human trafficking from happening in the first place,” continued Smith, the author of five major anti-human trafficking laws, including the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) ( PL 106-386 ). “Inspired by Frederick’s extensive work to help newly emancipated African Americans acclimate to their free lives, HR 1144—which was drafted with input from Frederick’s great-great-great grandson, Kenneth B. Morris Jr.—assists survivors during their transitions out of trafficking situations. “This bill creates a wrap-around approach to provide survivors with safe housing, mental health support, education services, life skills training, and employment assistance,” noted Smith, the Co-Chair of the newly formed Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus . “As Frederick once wisely said, ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.’ Each and every day—and especially today—we honor Frederick’s memory and continue the struggle against the global scourge of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.” HR 1144, developed in close collaboration with several survivor-leaders, upgrades and expands the U.S. government’s toolkit for fighting human trafficking by reauthorizing more than $1.2 billion in federal funding over the next five years. Once enacted, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 will: Reauthorize and bolster anti-human trafficking programs across numerous federal agencies, including the State Department, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services; Ensure robust prosecutions for human trafficking crimes, along with thorough investigations and jail time commensurate with the crime; Authorize the first-ever housing program for survivors, ensuring wrap-around case management, including education, life skills training, mental health services, and employment assistance; Continue funding the Angel Watch Center, a program mandated by Smith’s International Megan’s Law ( PL 114-119) that prevents convicted child sex offenders from exploiting and abusing children abroad; Train instructors, teachers, and students within elementary and secondary schools, in an age-appropriate manner, on building situational awareness, self-esteem, and resources to prevent, identify, and respond to human trafficking; and Strengthen partnerships among federal, state, and local authorities. ###