Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 91. urging the Government of Syria. on humanitarian grounds. to permit Syrian Jews to emigrate. The resolution was ordered favorably reported. by a voice vote from the Committee on Foreign Affairs. after having been previously considered by the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East. which conducted hearings on the resolution. I would like to commend two of our colleagues for the leadership and attention they have given to this matter of humanitarian concernthe gentleman from Indiana LEE H. HAMILTON. who chairs the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East. and the gentleman from New Jersey STEPHEN J. SOLARZ. for his efforts both here in the United States and in Syria. on behalf of the Jews residing there who wish to emigrate. House Concurrent Resolution 91 calls on Syria to uphold its position as a signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights. and permit the free emigration of any citizens who desire to leave. It should be recognized that the Syrian Government has eased restrictions on Jews within its boundaries. However. their future within that country is not a hopeful one. The educational and career opportunities for Syrian Jews would be more advantageous elsewhere. If they so choose. those people should be granted the freedom to emigrate. In 1977. Syria did permit a number of Jewish women to emigrate in order to marry. Many young Jewish women. for whom there are no prospective spouses. still remain in Syria. however. The exit applications of 51 of these women have been held in abeyance for over a year in some cases. It is hoped that political concerns may be temporarily laid aside for a more fundamental considerationa humanitarian reasonthat is the emigration rights of people who believe they may more easily assimilate into another community. Mr. Speaker.
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