Burgess Owens Advocates for the Protection of Children at CPAC’s International Summit Against Human Trafficking

Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT), a Super Bowl XV champion and committed advocate for child protection, delivered a passionate and thoughtful address at CPAC’s 3rd Annual International Summit Against Human Trafficking held at the U.S. Capitol. His determination to tackle and eradicate the evil of human trafficking fueled his fervent message and dedication to the cause.

“Under the Biden administration, traffickers had four years of free rein… resulting in 300,000 children lost. It was pure evil,” Owens declared, drawing a sharp contrast between the previous administration’s systemic failures and the present values of the movement gathered before him. He commended leaders Matt and Mercedes Schlapp for “fighting for those who don’t have a voice,” reminding attendees that effective change starts with showing up and standing up. He prompted the audience to ask themselves, “‘How can I make a difference?’” before answering, “You make a difference by being here, by using your voices.” 

An enduring advocate for the protection of children against trafficking and abuse, Owens has introduced and co-sponsored multiple bipartisan bills to strengthen federal efforts to combat trafficking and exploitation effectively. From the Child RESCUE Act to the Preventing Child Trafficking Act to the Child Online Safety Modernization Act, his legislative work embodies Owens’ wholehearted, continuous commitment to ending online and offline child exploitation. 

“The evil that we’ve seen throughout our country’s history—we will continue to fight, and we will continue to win that battle,” Owens advised the crowd, “because to love others... that’s the American way.”, said Owens.

Owens’ ardent words reminded silence-stricken attendees that defeating trafficking is both a policy goal and an ethical responsibility.