Speech #930057357

Chairman. I rise in support of the continuation of the authorization of funds for the resettlement of Soviet Jewish citizens in Israel. As has been eloquently indicated by my colleague these funds have been prudently utilized to help resettle over 35.000 immigrants sorely in need of such assistance. Israel had an enormous task before it in that it has had to create from ground up new facilities for absorption centers. educational and housing facilities. training and retraining programs. and many related items too numerous to recount. It is indeed a tribute to Israel and its people. that this enormous task has gone so smoothly and with such a high degree of success. For those of us who strongly support the right of emigration. this program and Americas commitment to it are all the more important. Without such a wellorganized. properly funded effort. it is doubtful. in my judgment. that the meaning of the "right to emigrate" could so easily be translated into reality. . Through this vital effort. the Congress is providing the means by which Soviet Jewish emigrants can find new life. This amount of support serves in very tangible ways to express our Nations strong desire to nurture freedom and liberty for a people who express their wish to live in Israel rather than the Soviet Union. It is the least our country can do to further their goals which are our own as well. It is also my fervent hope that the Soviet Union will see the positive import which is derived from the continual reunion of families. long separated. and from the exercise under their own constitution. of the right to emigrate freely. by opening up the gates even further. Israel can and will accept greater numbers of Soviet Jewish immigrants if only the Soviets will allow them to leave. If significant progress can be made. the Soviet Government and the United States can begin to enjoy a relationship free from suspicion and mistrust. based upon more humanitarian grounds rather than a relationship grounded solely upon crass economic considerations. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important section of the H.R. 7645 to allow further resettlement of Soviet Jews in Israel.