Child Protection Compact Act

As some of you may know, I recently took a trip to Washington DC and had the opportunity to partner with an amazing organization (International Justice Mission) in advocating for a bill, the Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA), that is making it's way through both chambers of Congress. It was the most involvement that I've ever had in the political process and allowed me to meet with representatives from several of Colorado's Congressional offices. In the month following my visit to the capital, Colorado has had one Congressman, Rep. Mike Coffman of the 6th district, step forward in support of this legislation and join the other 109 members of the House of Representatives that have co-sponsored the CPCA. Unfortunately, none of the Congresspeople that we lobbied to - Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Rep. Diana DeGette - have opted to do the same. I have followed up with members of their office staff and expect to hear back soon whether they will co-sponsor. With the current session of Congress letting out, I anticipate that myself and other abolitionists in the Denver area will be given the opportunity to voice our support of this life-changing piece of legislation to these lawmakers again. I hope that you'll take a moment to learn more about the CPCA and, if the chance arises, make your voice heard in support of it and the countless children that it can help.

CPCA Fast Facts:
The CPCA was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2009 and the Senate in 2010. It now enjoys 110 co-sponsors in the House and 6 co-sponsors in the Senate. The legislation essentially provides additional diplomatic and foreign assistance tools to the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) by allocating an additional $30-50 Million (depending on the version of the bill) to that office over the next 3 years ($10-16 Million per year). Every year, less than 1% of the US budget is directed to foreign assistance projects and of that the G/TIP office is granted only $30 Million each year to perform its work. This bill would substantially increase their funding over the next 3 years and, in doing so, greatly increas their ability to protect vulnerable children. Enabling G/TIP to make grants to "focus countries", the CPCA authorizes that office to negotiate "Child Protection Compacts" with those countries that include clear, measurable goals and strategies for protection of children, prevention of child trafficking and exploitation, and prosecution of criminals that seek to enslave children. While it's important to feed, clothe and shelter marginalized populations, it is a fact that without the proper infrastructure to remove criminals from the street it is difficult to make a substantial dent in an industry as resilient as the child trafficking industry. The CPCA endorses a model that partners with local police and prosecutors to rescue child victims of trafficking and apprehend pimps, brothel owners, and traffickers. Check out this article, "And Justice for All", by IJM founder, Gary Haugen, for more on enforcing human rights for the world's poor.

Training update:
Yesterday's was a tough workout - 1.5 mile intervals separated by hill climbers up the massive hill just outside Clement Park. There is under 2 weeks remaining until the Bolder Boulder so I'm planning on decreasing my miles gradually and supplementing more running miles with cross-training on the elliptical and stationary bike, to decrease the impact on my legs.

On a fundraising front, I have receive my first 2 donations am very encouraged by that. I thank my sister and her family, the Holbrook family and all of those others that are planning on donating to this very worthy cause but haven't had the opportunity yet.



Yesterday's miles: 4 (estimated)
Today's miles: 5
Month-to-date miles: 70.6
Remaining miles: 29.4