Speaker. today is an extraordinary day for we have among us a most extraordinary manIosif Mendelevich. who was a Soviet Prisoner of Conscience for over 10 years. Mr. Mendelevich was incarcerated in a Soviet prison for attempting to leave Russia after he was repeatedly denied permission to emigrate to Israel. Of the original 10 defendants in the infamous Leningrad trials. Iosif endured especially cruel and inhumane treatment because he had the courage and fortitude to stand up to prison officials by his strict adherence to his orthodox religious convictions. such as keeping kosher. wearing a skullcap and refusing to work on the Sabbath. in clear violation of prison camp laws.
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