Citing her ongoing legislative efforts to curb human trafficking, Seattle Against Slavery honored 36th District Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles with its Lincoln Freedom Award June 10.

“The legislative accomplishments we have made over the years would have never come about without the tireless work from advocates and community organizations,” Kohl-Welles said in a press release. “The fact that this award comes from them, makes it even more special.”

Kohl-Welles was nominated for her legislative efforts and accomplishments in preventing and halting human trafficking beginning in 2002 with the enactment of her bill regulating the mail-order bride industry and former Rep. Velma Veloria’s bill creating the first state anti-trafficking task force in the country.

Washington still leads the country in legislative accomplishments, according to the press release.

Most recently, Kohl-Welles sponsored Senate Bill 6330 which authorized the Washington State Department of Transportation to work with human trafficking advocates to place informational posters on trafficking at rest areas throughout the state.

She also sponsored Senate Bill 6332 which strengthens legislation from 2009 that required international labor recruiters and domestic employers of foreign workers to disclose federal and state labor laws to nonimmigrant workers. Both bills have been signed into law.

“Despite our best efforts, the fight against human trafficking continues," Kohl-Welles said in the press release. "My work and the advocates’ work will continue until this scourge is finally put to an end."