See article on Angel Ambassador Reception below by Joe David. He authored six books, including The Infidels and The Fire Within. His writings have appeared in magazines, newsletters, newspapers, and more: also printed AT THIS LINK

The glitzy Trump International Hotel is the backdrop for a human rights issue that crosses party lines: Human Trafficking

It is official! For the next 60 years, Donald Trump will have a home in Washington on Pennsylvania Avenue next to the White House at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The Old Post Office building, which had fallen on hard times, has been refurbished and leased as a luxury hotel to the Trump Organization. By transforming the historic building into a glitzy Trump International Hotel, it is expected that the hotel will become the hottest new in-spot in Washington to stay and indulge yourself in costly luxury. Like Donald’s dream to Make America Great Again, the Trump Enterprises with a graceful wave of their magic wand have turned the long-neglected Historic Post Office into a Trump landmark with over-sized crystal chandeliers and an atrium with a skylight view to the stars.

Amidst all this extravagant luxury, is the elegant Lincoln Library. In this historic room with natural woods, trimmed in cream and gold, the non-profit Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) held a cocktail reception Tuesday, September 27 for celebrities, socialites, and leaders from Hollywood and Washington committed to fighting human trafficking.

Donald, wasn’t there to share his celebrity with the guests, but despite his absence, the evening was a huge success. Several hundred people, many of celebrity status, gathered together comfortably to mingle and hear the speakers report on a major world problem.

Nancy Rivard, who heads AAI, has been responsible for helping build what began as a grass-roots non profit charity and turning it into a major international advocacy group raising awareness and fighting human trafficking. Under her guidance, the organization that began with just a few airline employees expanded into a network of students, medical professionals, families and retirees who volunteer their time to share their skills to provide, protect, and advocate for orphans and vulnerable children.

Emmy award winning television journalist Chris Hansen, Dateline NBC “To Catch a Predator,” hosted the event. “Human trafficking,” Hansen said, “has become the second biggest crime, next to drugs, and like drugs, it is ruining innocent lives. It is our duty to educate ourselves to recognize & report it to the proper authorities. The buying and selling of women, girls and boys is a frightening modern day form of slavery, and the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.”

AAI has provided 45 Airport trainings on human trafficking to date, training over 4,000 frontline employees on the indicators of human trafficking, learning to spot victims, hopefully before they are trafficked. Some of the signs victims often manifest include fear, shame or nervousness. Many reveal no control of their travels plans, or knowledge of where they are going. Such signature behavior is often a red flag that something is seriously wrong and needs to be reported to authorities.

Actor Eric Roberts receives AAI lapel pin.

Some of the other speakers included trafficking survivor Donna Hubbard who shared her touching childhood experience, and Eric Roberts (Julia Roberts’s brother) and Musician Keaton Simons, who previewed their new media campaign with the PSA “FIND Us.” This moving video highlighted the tragedy of what is happening world-wide, to some of the most vulnerable and innocent people – our children – trapped in sexual bondage. The Find US initiative will raise needed funds for the work of AAI and provide beds for trafficking victims in the United States. “Each week airline crew come in contact with thousands of people,” Rivard said, “and we are in the perfect position to spot the unusual and report it to authorities. That’s why AAI’s training is so vitally important. Hundreds of children have been saved, because our members alerted authorities to unusual behavior noted on board one of their planes.”

According to Rivard, the airlines is one of the swiftest and most convenient ways to move people from place to place. Airline crew are in the perfect position to spot trafficking and report it before it can become a tragedy for its victim. “Some of the life-saving services offered by our volunteers,” Rivard said, “include seeing to it that the children receive proper medical care and humanitarian aid at orphanages and clinics in remote communities.”

Rep Smith receives TIP Hero Award from Nancy Rivard

Seven members of Congress were honored with the AAI Trafficking in Persons, 2016 TIP Hero Award, for their leadership and support of training airline staffers on human trafficking awareness. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) accepted the awards personally, from Nancy Rivard, and Benefit Chair, ML Murray. Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representatives Mike Honda (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Dina Titus(D-NV) and Ted Yoho ( R-FL) provided glowing support with video messages. See this LINK

Perhaps the high point was during a special VIP tour led by Michael Damelincourt, managing director of Trump International Hotels, in which a handful of VIPs watched Daniel Mahdavian, director of food and beverages, amazingly de-cork a magnum of Veuve Clicquot Champage with a saber.

Monies raised at this important gathering will be used to support the work of Airline Ambassadors and provide more trainings at airports throughout the U.S. on human trafficking awareness, Hotel staff at the at the Trump International Hotel will also receive this training and this was the first charity event since its opening a few weeks ago.  For more information, visit www.airlineamb.org

(Thanks for excellent music from the Christopher Linman Jazz Ensemble)