Is the right to use and develop ones cultural heritage. especially ones native language. However. in Soviet Byelorussia. whose population of almost ten million comprises 81 percent of Bielarusians. this right has been severely curtailed in favor of the Russian language. 3. The Soviet Moscow Government forbids practice of religion and restricts the Bielarusian people in traveling abroad by Imposing a high fee (400 rubles while the average workers salary is between 60 and 110 rubles a month) for Just a passport. and by denying exit visas to a great many applicants. Mr. Speaker. an excerpt from a statement on the occupation and oppression of Bielarus by Soviet Russia issued by the Byelorusslan Congress Committee of America follows: After 125 years of slavery and oppression by the Czarist Russian Government. the Byelorussian people. with great enthusiasm and sacrifice. began the restoration of their own statehood.