Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following statement on the confirmation of John Cotton Richmond as the next Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons:

“Ambassador Richmond has demonstrated a strong commitment to thorough research and evidence-based action on sex and labor trafficking. These traits will serve him well as he oversees the development of the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report—our most successful diplomatic tool to promote best practices and ensure accountability.”

Smith authored the landmark legislation, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, that created the Office of Trafficking in Persons at the State Department. He also serves as the Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues to the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly President. 

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