FBI 2010 Director’s Community Leadership Award

James H. Robertson, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Buffalo Field Office, has selected The International Institute of Buffalo Human Trafficking Victim Services Program (HTVSP) as the 2010 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award (DCLA) recipient. SAC Robertson will present the commemorative award on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., at the International Institute of Buffalo, 864 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York. The media is welcome to attend.

The FBI presents the DCLA annually on behalf of its Director, Robert S. Mueller III. It was created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and civil rights education and prevention. Each year, the special agent in charge of each FBI field office has the opportunity, with input from FBI employees, to select an individual or organization that has made a significant difference in the lives of others.

Since its inception in 2007, the HTVSP has provided culturally competent services to victims of human trafficking in the eight counties in Western New York. Recently, the program assisted the Western New York Trafficking Task Force Alliance (WNYHTTFA), comprised of the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, in a joint investigation into sex trafficking and related charges. The investigation involved the dismantling of four massage parlors in Erie and Niagara Counties which were being used as fronts for commercial sex. The main defendant, Len Wah Chong of North Tonawanda, New York, admitted to owning and operating the massage parlors.

After the federal investigation, the HTVSP provided 12 victims with protection and safety plans, Social Services advocacy, medical assistance, interpretation and translation services, and legal guidance, and then continued to demonstrate its commitment and partnership capabilities by assisting the WNYHTTFA with ongoing civil rights cases.

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, will present the International Institute of Buffalo with the 2010 DCLA during a formal ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC, in March 2011.

Below is a list of previous FBI Buffalo DCLA recipients:

• 1993 - JoAnne Hudecki, Capital Campaign Coordinator, Kids Escaping Drugs
• 1994 - No Submission
• 1995 - No Submission
• 1996 - *Gregory R. Hill, Coordinator, Community School #53
• 1997 - Vincent Spadorcia, President. Middle City Neighborhood Association (MCNA), Niagara Falls
• 1998 - Michael Dundon, Certified Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, Town and Village of Hamburg
• 1999 - *Donald Dade, Executive Director, Coalition for the Redevelopment of Unified Community Involvement and Leadership, Inc. (C.R.U.C.I.A.L.)
• 2000 - City of Rochester Youth Anti-Violence Initiative
• 2001 - Richard J. Gallagher, Director, Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services, Inc.
• 2002 - State Incentive for Community Action (SICA). WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol
• 2003 - University Community Initiative (UCI) Regional Community Policing Center
• 2004 - Fathers Armed Together to Help Educate Restore and Save Group (F.A.T.H.E.R.S.)
• 2005 - Luke Moretti, Investigative Reporter, WIVB-TV (CBS affiliate)
• 2006 - Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) - WNY Chapter
• 2007 - Frank Mesiah, President, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• 2008 - John Schunak, President, Buffalo Chapter InfraGard
• 2009 - Pastor Kenyatta T. Cobb, Western New York Law Enforcement Chaplains Assoication

* denotes deceased recipients