We in America pride ourselves on our tradition of religious and cultural freedom. We can no longer remain silent as the Soviet Government refuses to allow its Jewish citizens these same rights--rights that have been written into the Soviet Constitution but have never been honored. Our resolution requests the President to demand of the Soviet Government that it permit its citizens the right to emigrate to the countries of their choice. as affirmed by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The Jews in Russia are struggling to maintain their cultural and religious identity in an atmosphere of suppression. The tragedy of this situation is compounded by the Soviet Governments refusal to grant its citizens the right to emigrate to countries where religious and cultural diversity is tolerated. Moreover. the Jews of the Soviet Union. in conversations and correspondence with foreigners have often expressed the desire to journey to a land where they would be enthusiastically welcomedthe State of Israel. Indeed. those who have had the opportunity have chosen to live in Israel and to assist that country in her struggle for survival. If we do not speak out against the Soviet policy of prohibiting the right of emigration. we will. in effect. be acquiescing in the denial of this basic human right. The resolution further calls upon the State Department to raise in the General Assembly of the United Nations the issue of the Soviet Unions transgression of the Declaration of Human Rightsa declaration that was adopted unanimously by the United Nations. I believe that the United Nations is the appropriate forum for raising this issue of international concern for it is a body that was organized to promote peaceful relations between nations as well as personal liberty within nations.
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emigrate emigration