Speech #920206706

I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 471 which was originally introduced by Mr. ONEILL and myself last August along with 117 House cosponsors. This resolution recognizes the repression of Jews and other religious minorities in the Soviet Union and calls upon the President of the United States to do three things: First. to urge the Soviet Government to permit the free expression of ideas and exercise of religion. second. to utilize formal and informal contacts with Soviet officials in an effort to secure an end to religious discrimination. third. to request of the Soviet Government that it permit its citizens the right to emigrate from the Soviet Union to the countries of their choice. and fourth. to raise in the United Nations General Assembly the issue of the Soviet Unions transgression of the Declaration of Human Rights. particularly against Soviet Jews and other minorities. Mr. Speaker. with the President scheduled to visit the Soviet Union next month.