Speech #960251259

As we know. the Soviets have relied upon such fatuous reasoning before. and continue to do so as a part of their continuing policy of intimidation of their Jewish citizenry who have declared their dissatisfaction with life in the Soviet Union. Many have come to this floor and have tried to analyze the Soviet policy of repression. Russian Jewry has suffered throughout history at the hand of cruel and sadistic Tsars and Commisars. until recently. however. the doors of emigration were ostensibly open to those Jews who could afford it. Current Soviet policy smacks of insecurity. undoubtedly. an open emigration policy would lead to massive floods of emigrees seeking to escape from a failing social system. We have every reason to believe that irrational hatred is an additional motivation behind the systematic harassment of Jews. a frightening prospect indeed. Roman Levin and his family have chosen to identify themselves with their Jewish heritage. an act which is frowned upon by the authorities. Since their application to emigrate was denied in September of 1978. life has not been easy for the Levins. judging by precedent. the hard times are far from over. Larisa has not been able to find work in 4 years. Trained as an engineer. she has been forced to serve as a part time elevator operator. recently. she has not been able to find work at all. Roman has been fortunate. as he has been able to maintain a part time position teaching physics at the Mining Institute in Leningrad. Their permission to emigrate is not forthcoming. as Larisas brother continues to work at his job. thus maintaining his security clearance. The obstacles seem formidable. and I will continue to press for their fair treatment. as I have in the past for Boris Pension. who has recently been granted his permission to emigrate. I sincerely hope that the Levins will also be granted permission to emigrate soon. as the basis of the refusal is flimsy indeed.O