This was my testimony:

Dear Senator Brian T. Taniguchi,

I’m writing a testimony in support of the Human Trafficking Bill SB2045 that I hope will get passed soon.

DATE:
Monday, February 08, 2010

TIME:
9:30 a.m.

PLACE:
Conference Room 016

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

I was born in Saigon, Vietnam in 1972. In 1975, during the “Fall of Saigon” the communist movement down to South Vietnam caused my family had to evacuate Vietnam. My family left all of their possessions, homes, careers, and some family members behind to flee to the United States of America as political refugees to live a life of freedom. My father was a Lieutenant Commander with the South Vietnamese Government who taught hand to hand combat to US Marines to help the United States fight against the communist. Because of my father’s involvement to fight for freedom and justice, we were able to catch one of the last helicopters off the rooftops of the US Embassy out of Saigon on to US Naval Carriers.

After coming to America, my family was fortunate to have local churches and sponsors in Texas that took us in. The relationships that my father made with Marines and Soldiers while in Vietnam opened up doors and opportunities for us in Houston where I grew up. My family became one of the first Vietnamese refugees that settled in the area. All of my family members got US citizenship a few years after. Because of the liberties and freedom under the blanket of the United States to live that American Dream, most of my cousins that I grew up with are now PhD’s, teachers, doctors, lawyers, military veterans, accountants, and professionals in their communities. Because of the opportunities given to us, we are now able to give back to a country that has given the freedom to us. We proudly do our jobs to help enrich the diversity and strength of what America is now.

As I grew up I saw how passionate my father and uncles were as they discussed how important it is to fight for human rights. Learning about how communist treated innocent people and taking their freedoms away, beating them, torturing them, starving them, and raping them, my heart grew to also stand up for human rights.

I proudly served in the United States Navy from February 1994 until May 2002 as an infantry medic and emergency medical technician. My tour of duty allowed me the honor of serving with the brave Sailors and Marines at Naval Hospital Oakland, Camp Pendleton, Kaneohe Bay Marine Base, 3d Battalion – 3d Marines, Camp Hansen – Okinawa, Japan, US Marine deployments to Korea with 3d Marines, Naval Medical Clinic Kaneohe, Pearl Harbor Naval Base – Naval Medical Clinics Makalapa and Shipyard Clinic, and Barbers Point Medical Clinic. I’ve competed at the highest levels in military competition as I played on the Hawaii Marines Volleyball team. I also had the honor of travelling to Japan to compete against the top military teams in Japan and Okinawa to represent the United States Marines in Hawaii.

The US Navy gave me an opportunity to come to Hawaii in 1996 and after my enlistment; I used the Montgomery GI Bill to finish college degree at Hawaii Pacific University. Hawaii has been home to me ever since. The diverse population here has shown nothing but Aloha to my family and I. In 2008, I attended the Human Trafficking conference during GirlFest and heard testimonies and statistics about the increasing growth of human trafficking here in Hawaii. It’s very alarming that Hawaii is one out of seven states that has yet to adopt a human trafficking bill.

Since then, I became involved with the PASS (Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery) to end human trafficking here. Why hasn’t the Hawaii legislative team passed a bill to support these human rights issues? Businesses, hotels, travel brochures, and tourism advertise Hawaii as a paradise vacation spot. Little do these tourists and locals know about the sex trafficking that goes on here. Women and children are beaten, forced, coerced, drugged, raped, and sold into sexual slavery for PROFIT. Since I’ve joined PASS, I’ve seen and witnessed an increasing number of volunteers, law students, social workers, doctors, pastors, law students, and professionals that are getting more involved to raise awareness and support outreach. Local churches have banded together to raise money and awareness about the issue. With the increasing demand to end human trafficking in Hawaii, we are using social media and partnerships to the fullest to get the word out. In addition to social media efforts, more and more people are attending neighborhood board meetings, community meetings, and supporting fundraisers at various local restaurants. Local businesses are supporting the cause to spread the word. Our volunteers have worked hard with outreach and at times, there are success stories for these victims but more needs to be done.

These victims have the right to live in the same freedoms that we live in. Help us end modern day slavery. I sincerely urge you and the rest of your legislative team in Hawaii to not only pass this bill but to also assist us after it’s been approved so that we together can end human trafficking here in Hawaii. Until then, as our numbers of volunteers grow, we’ll all continue to fight the fight.

Regards,
Mano Nguyen