Speech #970197286

I have adopted two Soviet Jews. I would like to take a few minutes to tell my colleagues about Benjamin Bogomolny and Yuli Kosharovsky. Benjamin Bogomolny has the distinction of being the second oldest refusenik in the Soviet Union (this does not refer to his age. but rather to the fact that he has been attempting to emigrate for the second longest period of time). In 1966. the Bogomolny family received affidavits to emigrate to Israel. while at the same time their brother and son. BenJamin. was drafted in the army. Since completing his term in the army. Mr. Bogomolny has repeatedly tried to emigrate. The official reason given by the Soviet Governnent is that he may have learned State secrets while in the army and that he may constitute a threat to national security. Mr. Bogomolny has been under constant harassment since he first sought a visa. I recently learned from his brotherinlaw. Eli Laps. who resides in Montreal. that the Bogomolny family has sent Mr. Bogomolny another invitation to come to Israel This is necessary before emigration torms can be completed. However. the Soviet Government claims that it is not aware of the invitation. This is another attempt by that Government to stifle emigration by Soviet Jews. Yuli Kosharovksy first submitted his application in 1971. He has been denied permission since then by Soviet officials. As one of the early leaders of the Soviet Jewry moement. Mr. Kosharovsky continues to speak out for freedom to emigrate. Although he is by profession a radio electronics engineer. he is not permitted to work in his given field. Further. he has been