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[Pages S6945-S6946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING RACHELLE BERGERON HAMMERLING
Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today, I honor the life and work of
Rachelle Bergeron Hammerling, a human rights lawyer who served as the
acting Attorney General of Yap in Micronesia when she was murdered just
a couple of months ago. Rachelle was killed in front of her home on
October 14, 2019, as a direct result of her courageous fight against
human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. She was just 33
years old, but her legacy will live on through her family and the
communities she made the ultimate sacrifice to serve.
Rachelle was born in Waukesha, WI, to parents Thomas and Tammy
Bergeron in 1986. After growing up in Wisconsin, Rachelle went on to
obtain a juris doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law
in 2010, an experience her family says she loved.
When Rachelle graduated from law school, her passion to help others
led her to volunteer with the International Justice Mission in India,
where she represented women and children who had been trafficked.
Rachelle spent her career prosecuting criminals involved with sex
trafficking and worked tirelessly to protect the poor against violence.
Rachelle's work took her around the United States, including New York
and Washington, DC. She was a member of the New York State Bar and
created the ``Not-So-Super'' campaign video as an effort to raise
awareness regarding human trafficking during the 2014 Super Bowl. Her
work took her to Beijing, South Africa, India, and finally the Pacific
island of Yap.
Rachelle fought to give a voice to the voiceless and dedicated her
life to empowering and uplifting others. About 4 years ago, Rachelle
moved to Yap after accepting a job as that community's assistant
attorney general. Since January 2019, she had been serving as the
island's only prosecutor and as the acting attorney general, where her
duties included being a part of a human trafficking task force.
Rachelle was very active in the community she served and spent a lot of
time in local schools
[[Page S6946]]
and community centers to warn against the dangers of sex trafficking.
Rachelle also met her husband, Simon Hammerling during her time in
Yap. The two were married in 2018 and had planned to take in a young
girl they had found sleeping on their doorstep. Rachelle passed just
before the two were about to celebrate their 1-year wedding anniversary
and shortly before she and her family were due to move back to the
United States for a new job in Wyoming. Her passing is a tremendous
loss to her family, to the community she fought to serve, and to all
who knew her.
We remember Rachelle with gratitude for her life, and we honor her
for her sacrifice. Scripture tells us that the righteous will rest from
their labor, for their deeds will follow them. As she now rests from
her tireless and courageous work on behalf of the most vulnerable among
us, we know Rachelle's deeds will follow her and continue to inspire
others to pursue justice as fiercely as she did.
____________________
