Speech #920206728

I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 471. a resolution seeking relief from restrictions on Soviet Jews. The measure is identical to House Concurrent Resolution 393 which I cosponsored on August 6. 1971. The pending resolution points out that "in the Soviet Union men and women are denied a freedom recognized by all civilized countries of the world." This is the right to emigrate. a right affirmed by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights adopted by a unanimous vote of the General Assembly. With passage of this measure. the Congress will be expressing its belief that the President should immediately: First. call upon the Soviet Government to permit the free expression of ideas and the exercise of religion by all its citizens in accordance with the Soviet Constitution. Second. utilize formal and informal contacts with Soviet officials in an effort to secure an end to discrimination against religious minorities. Third. request of the Soviet Government that It permit its citizens the right to emigrate from the Soviet Union to the countries of their choice as affirmed by the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights. Fourth. raise in the General Assembly of the U.N. the issue of the Soviet Unions transgression of the Declaration of Human Rights. particularly against Soviet Jews and other minorities.