Mr. Speaker. I am proud to join with the majority of my colleagues in the House of Representatives in cosponsoring the Freedom of Emigration Act. The exorbitant exit fees now charged by the Soviet Union are an affront to all who believe in individual rights and freedoms. We may soon be asked to support an agreement giving Russia mostfavorednation status in its trade relations with the United Statesan agreement much sought by the Russians. It is unthinkable that we should reward the Soviet Union at a time when so many are facing hardship and imprisonment for wishing to return to the land of their heritage. The Freedom of Emigration Act will prohibit granting economic and trade concessions to any country which denies the right to emigrate or which imposes an unreasonable tax on emigration. A strong vote for this legislation in the House and its companion in the Senate will leave no doubt in the minds of the Soviet leaders that their repressive emigration policies will result only in their own economic hardship. This is our opportunity to stand up for Americas ideals.
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emigrate emigration Emigration