Mr. President. it has been almost 4 years since the Vas. chenko and Chmykhalov families sought refuge in the American Embas. sy in Russia. It has been a long con. finement. prompted by their desire to emigrate to a country where they would be allowed to worship freely. Their story has focused international attention on the plight of hundreds of thousands of religious dissidents within Sovietbloc countries who are being persecuted for their faith in a living God. I commend Senator LEvIN for the concern and the leadership that he has provided In bringing about legislative channels of relief for these families. In particular. I thank Senator LzvIN for introducing Senate Concurrent Resolution 76. which was unanimously passed by the Senate earlier this afternoon and which had earlier been agreed upon by the House of Representatives. This bill. which would call upon the Soviet Government to allow the two families to emigrate. is extremely timely in light of the fact that the families 20year attempt to emigrate is now approaching an important Juncture. By the end of the month. it is expected that the Soviet emigration officials will notify the families as to whether or not there will be any action by the Soviet Government to allow the families to emigrate. This resolution also calls attention to the interest of this Congress and this administration in the plight of the Vaschenko and Chmykhalov families. Mr.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration