Speech #920280141

I am today joining Congressman EILBERO and many of my other colleagues in .introducing a "sense of the Congress" resolution condemning the Russian Government and leaders for thig new policy. On .the eve of Rosh Hashaiah. the Jewish.New Year. and one of the holiest days of the Jewish religion. it is fitting that the international community express its sympathy and that world bpinion be brought to bear in behalf of the unfortunate Soviet Jews who have been victimized by this most recent Soyiet injustice. The text of the "sense of Congress" resolution follows: CONCURRENT REsoLUTiON Expressing the sense ofthe Congress that the Soviet Union shouldbecondemned for its policy of demanding a ransom from educated Jews who wafit to emigrate to Israel. . Whereas. the Soviet Union has refused to permit Jewish citizens to emigrate from a land where they are forced to live with bigotry and repression to Istael. which is offering them a home. Wherbas. the Soviet Union has been confiscating. almost :all of the possessions of those Jews who are permitted to go to :Israel. and " Whereas. the Soviet Union has begun demanding a ransom of up to $25.000 for Jews who have an advanced education: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That the government and leaders of the Soviet Union should be condemned for creating a class of slaves in the 20th Century by forcing thousands of people to live and work in a country which they want to leave. because they do not have the money to ransom themselves into freedom.