Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery Prevention Month (January 2026)Copyrighted
January 5, 2026
City of Dubuque PROCLAMATIONS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Human Trafficking and Modern -Day Slavery Prevention
Month (January 2026)
SUMMARY: On behalf of the Coalition Against Human Trafficking and
Sexual Exploitation.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proclamation
Page 7 of 567
THE N
v or
UB E
Alasterpiece or the Mississippi
WHEREAS, by Presidential proclamation each January has been designated National Human Slavery
and Human Trafficking Prevention month. In addition, January 11th has been designated
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, the issue of sex and labor trafficking are a violation of human rights. The hope of this
Proclamation is to raise awareness of this topic; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque wishes to acknowledge the Coalition Against Human Trafficking and
Sexual Exploitation for their efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations Global Plan of Action has three pillars upon which it stands: "protect,
prevent, prosecute". We invite all residents of Dubuque to educate themselves on this
issue and to support these three pillars to help eradicate the problem; and
WHEREAS, we invite all residents and especially parents/caretakers to increase their knowledge of
potential evils from online uses that "groom" youth into trafficking through fraud, force, or
coercion; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a national, state, and local issue. We commend school's IT staff, tech
coaches, and teachers whose K-12 curriculum alert youth and parents/caretakers why
limited sharing online of personal information is a safety issue.
NOW THEREFORE, I, BRAD M. CAVANAGH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2026 AS
"HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN-DAY SLAVERY PREVENTION MONTH"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to
be affixed this 5th day of January 2026.
Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC, City Clerk
Page 8 of 567
2026: Submitted by Sr. Marilou Irons. Accepted by Mary Lechtenberg.
2025: Submitted by Sr. Marilou Irons. Accepted by Sr. Marilou Irons and Mary Lechtenberg.
2024: Submitted and accepted by: Sr. Marilou Irons, PVBM of the Tri-State Coalition against Human
Trafficking
2023: Submitted and accepted by: Sr. Marilou Irons, PVBM of the Tri-State Coalition against Human
Trafficking
2022: Submitted by Toni Backes and accepted by accepted by Sr. Marilou Irons, PVBM of the Tri-
State Coalition against Human Trafficking
2021: Submitted by Toni Backes of the Tri-State Coalition against Human Trafficking and accepted by
Sr. Marilou Irons, PVBM, marilou@dbgpbvms.org and Sr. Mary Lechtenberg, OSF
lechtenbergm@osfdbq.org
2020: Submitted by Toni Backes of the Tri-State Coalition against Human Trafficking and accepted by
Sr. Mary Lechtenburg OSF and Sr. Joy Peterson PVBM. dvingilroy(cD_aol.com, 408-594-8025.
2019: Submitted by Deborah Albert of the Tri-State Coalition against Human Trafficking and accepted
by Sr. Mary Lechtenburg OSF and Sr. Joy Peterson PVBM. dvingilroy(a aol.com, 408-594-8025.
2018: moved to January 2019.
2017: Submitted by Deborah Albert of the Tri-State Coalition against Human Trafficking and accepted
by Sr. Mary Lechtenburg OSF and Sr. Joy Peterson PVBM. dvingilroy(c�aol.com, 408-594-8025
Page 9 of 567