Jada Pinkett Smith testifies on Capitol Hill

Jada Pinkett Smith, right, accompanied by her actor husband Will Smith, and their daughter Willow Smith, left, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 17, 2012.

/ AP

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - Jada Pinkett Smith made an appearance on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, urging Congress to step up the fight against human trafficking in the U.S. and abroad.

The actress and activist testified during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that she plans to launch a campaign to raise awareness and spur action against human trafficking and slavery.

Pictures: Smith family album

She credited her daughter, Willow Smith, who sat nearby, with bringing the issue to her attention. The 11-year-old also shared a photo from the hearing on Twitter:

I'm getting radical on human trafficking!!! twitter.com/OfficialWillow...

-- Willow Smith(@OfficialWillow) July 17, 2012

Will Smith, the actress' husband and Willow's father, was also on hand. All three Smiths were dressed in T-shirts and blazers.

In her remarks, Pinkett Smith said that human slavery "robs us of the thing we value most, our freedom."