Gayle Christie’s involvement

Gayle Christie was still brimming with excitement on Wednesday afternoon after arriving by plane from Washington, D.C. where she had a front row seat at the signing of the reauthorization of the TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) by President Bush.

"It was very surreal. I was just from here to there from him", indicating three to four feet, Christie said.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Sen. Sam Brownback were also present for the signing.  Brownback, a Kansas Republican, was co-sponsor of the bill in 2000.

Christie originally from Kansas has met Sen. Brownback prior to this. "He is a great humanitarian, a man of ethics and integrity, besides being very
personable."

Gayle visits with Dr. Crouse

Christie also had the privilege to spend the day with Dr. Janice Crouse. She arrived at the CWA office early Tuesday morning to meet with Barb, the field correspondent, who in turn introduced her to Dr. Crouse. They sat down for a cup of tea and Diet Coke, and then took a taxi to the executive offices at the White House.

After going through security and being delayed due to her name being reversed on her name tag, Christie said, "We were ushered into a relatively small room, where Dr. Crouse and I were separated. I ended up sitting on the front row, with the center seat. As close to the President as you could get."

"Dr. Crouse and I then joined the group from Rescue and Restore at the Old Ebbitt Grill, a historic landmark since 1856, and nearby well known White House gathering place, for lively conversation and great food."

"Getting to know Dr. Crouse on a more personal level was like a dream come true. She was the inspiration that motivated me to become so involved in this issue. She is so gracious and knowledgeable, plus her very down to earth nature, made her so comfortable to be with . It was such an honor to have the opportunity to spend so much time with her."

"I was invited because of all the work I've done in Houston as a volunteer," Christie continued.

She became involved in the effort to stop the trade of human slavery and
prostitution after she joined Concerned Women For America, a family values group. At a leadership training session in Washington, D.C. several years ago, she heard the story of Rosa, a 13 year old girl from Vera Cruz, Mexico. She was promised a better way of life in the U.S., only to be trucked to a trailer park in Orlando, Florida and forced into prostitution.

"It just touched my heart," Christie said. "I came back to Houston and wanted to make a difference."

That's when she developed the idea for the art exhibit that would raise
awareness for victims of human trafficking. As a successful business woman with a flower preservation business, she made use of her contacts in the art community.

Each participating artist was asked to write a corresponding story about a
victim, or the issue in general. The exhibit was titled Give The Gift of
Freedom, as seen through the eyes of the victims. This prompted the start of the organization Artists Against Human Trafficking.

Christie plans to continue her volunteer work which has become a passion. She has had numerous requests for the art exhibit to travel and hopes to
accommodate those wishes.