On April 17 of this year the House passed a resolution. House Concurrent Resolution 471. of which I was a cosponsor. which requested the President to call on the Soviet Government to permit the free expression of ideas and exercise of religion by all of its citizens. and to use all formal and informal channels to convey this position. It calls on the President to request of the Soviet Government that it allow its citizens the right to emigration to the countries of their choice. as affirmed by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. and it calls on 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 Rights. However. if Soviet Jews are to win the struggle for survival. their cause must be kept centerstage. It is widely believed that worldwide concern and pressure on Soviet officials is responsible for the increase in the number of Jews being permitted to emigrate. and the public outcry following the secret trials in Leningrad in 1970 did force the Soviets to commute the death sentences of two men whose only crime was to yearn for freedom. We must continue to focus world attention on the plight of Soviet Jews. and intensify the pressure on the Soviet Government on their behalf. In light of the recent summit talks in Moscow. it is vital that we reaffirm our commitment to assist Soviet Jews and that we make clear that discussions between world leaders will not suffice.
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emigrate emigration