E124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 27, 2015 Human trafficking is a hidden crime. RECOGNIZING GEORGE STEVENS, George Stevens, Jr. was born no stranger These victims are not willing participants in JR. AS THE FOUNDER OF THE to Hollywood and American filmmaking. His prostitution. These women, men, girls, and KENNEDY CENTER HONORS AND grandmothers and grandfather were all actors, boys are being held against their will, caught FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO having starred alongside Charlie Chaplin and in a life of drug addiction, physical abuse, and AMERICAN FILM MAKING in silent films. His father, George Stevens, Sr., sexual assault. Children cannot be prostitutes. was a legendary Hollywood director who made Children cannot consent to sex. They get HON. STEVE COHEN more than 50 films and earned an Oscar for forced into the crime of human trafficking, they OF TENNESSEE directing the 1951 motion picture, A Place in are victims not criminals. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Sun. At age 17, the younger Stevens It is estimated that at least 100,000 children Tuesday, January 27, 2015 began working with his father reading scripts are at risk for human trafficking every year in and stories for potential films, including the Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the U.S. The real number of trafficking victims 1953 Western classic Shane, which received recognize George Stevens, Jr., an American is unknown. five Academy Award nominations, and the writer, director, producer, playwright, author Even if they are identified, they are con- 1959 film version of the Pulitzer Prize winning and founder of the American Film Institute and play, The Diary of Anne Frank. Between 1959 stantly moved around by their traffickers, the Kennedy Center Honors. With an impres- and 1961, Stevens directed episodes for the whether that’s across our borders and/or sive, creative and innovative career spanning television series Peter Gunn and Alfred Hitch- around the country. Many are runaways, nearly 65 years, Stevens has contributed cock Presents. In 1967, he, along with Sidney throwaways, or stowaways. Imagine a child greatly to American filmmaking and diplomacy, Poitier and Gregory Peck, founded the Amer- being considered a throwaway or a child that and has elevated artistic standards and appre- no one is looking for. This is reality for many ciation to new heights. It is therefore with pro- ican Film Institute, which serves to preserve in our country. We must be the ones to give found gratitude for his dedication to the arts original prints of American films. Stevens continues to produce some of the them hope. and yet sadness that December 2014 marked Victims may be afraid to come forward. Stevens’ last year as producer of the es- most important works in American culture. In They may be arrest and jailed because they teemed Kennedy Center Honors that I am 2013, he produced American editorial car- are mistaken for criminal. Forgiven immigrants speaking today. toonist Herbert Block’s documentary entitled kidnapped and brought to the US are told their In 1978, Stevens founded the Kennedy Herblock: The Black & the White, and in 2011, families will be harmed if they seek help. Center Honors, which is an annual TV special he adapted Thurgood, his 2006 one-man Many victims may be suffering from Stock- that recognizes a wide cross-section of artists stage play about the first African-American As- holm Syndrome and actually believe they are who have contributed to American culture sociate Justice of the Supreme Court, into a in a loving relationship with their trafficker. through dance, the theater, music, film and tel- feature film. In 2009, he was the executive Education and awareness for law enforce- evision. The Kennedy Center Honors, how- producer of the TV special We Are One: The ment and the public will help prevent traf- ever, is more than just a TV special. It is the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln ficking and identify the victim. brainchild of George Stevens and it was influ- Memorial. Rescuing and Restoring victims must be a enced by his hero and friend, President John Stevens is an American icon whose dedica- top priority. Trafficking victims have unique F. Kennedy, who said, ‘‘I look forward to an tion to the arts is unwavering. He has won 13 needs, different than the needs of other crime America that will honor achievement in the Emmys, two Peabody Awards for Meritorious victims. They must receive specialized, trau- arts the way we honor achievement in busi- Service to Broadcasting, eight Writers Guild of ma-informed care from those that understand ness and statecraft.’’ Through personal dedi- America awards, the Christopher Award and this crime. cation and a labor of love, Stevens committed The Writers Guild of America’s Paul Selvin Trafficking victims are not easy victims to much of his adult life to the Honors, which is award for his writings on civil rights and lib- help. They’ve been through extremely terrible a significant part of his legacy and contribution erties. In 2011, President Barack Obama ap- situations. Many have come from a life of to the arts. pointed him Co-chairman of the President’s hardship, from abusive families, and moved For thirty-six years, Stevens produced the Committee on the Arts and Humanities. George Stevens continues to serve and rep- around from family to family in foster care. Honors and made it the premier show of resent the arts community well. Because of his Anyone they’ve trusted in the past has used American arts appreciation. In 2008, his son steadfast efforts to celebrate and promote them and betrayed them. So, many times after Michael joined him as a producer of the show American art, the Kennedy Center Honors is they’ve been rescued, they run because that’s and it remains one of the most highly antici- always at the top of TV ratings. I ask all of my what they know. pated events of the year, showcasing some of the best talents America has to offer. Last colleagues to join me in congratulating him on We cannot give up on these girls. They de- year’s Honors recipients included Tom Hanks, more than 65 years of dedication to the arts serve to know love and trust. As a society, we Sting, Lily Tomlin, Patricia McBride and singer/ and thirty-six years of producing the Kennedy must embrace them. songwriter Al Green from my home of Mem- Center Honors. I’ve introduced the Justice for Victims of phis, Tennessee. The show was an amazing f Trafficking Act with Congresswoman MALO- celebration of these artists and a testament to NEY. This bill will ensure funding for the rescue Stevens’ love for the arts. I was glad to be PERSONAL EXPLANATION and restoration of trafficking victims. It will en- among the attendees at the historic 2014 Hon- sure specialized training and care, and training ors. HON. J. RANDY FORBES for law enforcement. These services will be In 1962, former CBS Newsman and head of OF VIRGINIA paid for by fines on the perpetrators. The bad the United States Information Agency (USIA) IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES guys literally pay for the crimes they have under the Kennedy Administration Edward R. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 committed. What a concept! Murrow reached out to Stevens to join the Our bill also addresses the cause of this Agency to help inform the world about the Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, last week I was dastardly deed: the demand. Gone are the U.S. through film. It was during this time that unable to cast my vote for two important days of boys being boys. Those that buy sex he formed a lasting relationship with President pieces of legislation. Had I been in the cham- from children are child abusers, not Johns. John F. Kennedy and his family, and began ber, I would have voted YES on H.R. 161, the John is in the Bible. He’s a good guy. These laying the foundation that transformed how Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act criminals must be punished like the child American films and the arts are recognized and YES on H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding abusers that they are. They are child rapists. and appreciated today. After creating nearly for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Dis- During January, National Slavery and 300 short films for the USIA and following the closure Act. I voted to pass H.R. 7 in the Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rec- President’s assassination, Stevens produced 113th Congress. This crucial bill will establish ognize that we have a long road ahead of us the heartfelt and well-received documentary a government-wide, permanent prohibition on in order to eradicate our country and our world about the life of President Kennedy entitled the funding of abortion, ensuring that no pro- of modern day slavery. If we have the help Years of Lightning, Day of Drums. At the time, gram or agency is exempt from this safeguard. and work of local, state, and federal govern- the National Board of Review named the doc- I believe that life—even in its earliest stages— ments, wonderful anti-trafficking organizations, umentary ‘‘one of the ten best films of the deserves respect and protection. I am and al- and just people with good hearts, I think we year’’ and in 2013, Stevens worked with War- ways have been pro-life, and throughout my can put a stop to this despicable crime. ner Bros to restore the film and release it on tenure in Congress will continue to be a strong And that’s just the way it is.