Mr. Speaker. I was proud to join in sponsoring the Freedom of Emigration Act. banning mostfavorednation status to Iron Curtain countries which arbitrarily restrict or heavily tax emigration of Jewish and other citizens. A majority of both Houses of Congress now support this measure. clearly telling the Soviet Union and its satellites that although freer trade and improved relations may be desirable. we will not purchase them at the cost of denial of basic human rights. In addition to supporting the Freedom of Emigration Act. I have introduced a concurrent resolution specifically condemning the Soviet Union for its treatment of citizens who wish to emigrate. This resolution and the Freedom of Emigration Act reaffirm a fundamental truthno one owns a human being except himself. The socalled education tax being levied against individuals in the U.S.S.R. is selective and capricious. Its specific application to Soviet Jewish citizens wishing to move to Israel is obvious. Its repressiveness is beyond question. This practice deserves our direct condemnation. Restriction of emigration by any of the Soviet bloc nations deserves reciprocal restriction of trade by the United States. We in America pride ourselves on our freedom. We are called upon in these two legislative measures to condemn a terrifying repression of human rights.
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emigrate emigration Emigration