Speech #970049952

Two twin beds line either side of the room where the seven take turns sleeping. I believe the unusual circumstances of the Pentecostals entry into the Embassy. the rudimentary environment they must endure. and the fear they have for their safety if they leave require the Congress to speak out on their behalf. House Concurrent Resolution 100 calls on the President to raise the case of the seven Pentecostals and their families with the Soviet Union. it expresses the sense of Congress that the Pentecostals should be allowed to remain inside the Embassy in comfort until they obtain an exit visa or wish voluntarily to leave. and it asks that the U.S. Embassy staff in Moscow extend every courtesy to the Pentecostals during their stay in the Embassy. House Concurrent Resolution 100 is a responsible step for the Congress to take in response to the Soviet Unions intolerance for religious observance and their restrictive emigration policies. The resolution and the cosponsors follow: Concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the situation of two Russian families who have sought refuge in the United States Embassy in Moscow because of the suppression of their Pentecostal faith by the Government of the Soviet Union Whereas since 1962. thirteen members of the Vashchenko family and eleven members of the Chmykhalov family have been denied permission to emigrate from the Soviet Union. Whereas the Soviet Union has consistently denied the right of such individuals to practice their Pentecostal faith. Whereas the Soviet Union has subjected such individuals to physical and psychological harassment. including imprisonment. beatings. confinement in mental institutions. and separation of family members. Whereas such actions violate the commitments to freedom of thought. conscience. religion. and emigration made by the Soviet Union through its adoption of. or participation as a signatory to. the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. the Charter of the United Nations. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. and the Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. and Whereas on June 27. 1978. Maria and Timofei Chmykhalov. and Lilia. Peter. Liubov. Lidia. and Augustina Vashchenko sought refuge in the United States Embassy in Moscow. in the Soviet Union. because of the suppression of their religious beliefs by the Soviet Union. and have lived in the Embassy since such time: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That it is the sense of the Congress that the President of the United States should(1) express to the Government of the Soviet Union the deep concern of the United States with respect to the deprivation by such Government of the religious freedom of the members of the Vashchenko and Chmykhalov families. and the refusal of such Government to permit the emigration of the members of such families. (2) take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that Maria and Timofei Chmykhalov. and Lilia. Peter. Liubov. Lidia. and Augustina Vashchenko will be permitted to reside in the United States Embassy in Moscow. in the Soviet Union. until such time as the Government of the Soviet Union authorizes their emigration. and (3) take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that Maria and Timofei Chmykhalov. and Lilia. Peter. Liubov.