We join in Idas suffering on this day of international solidarity. But the suffering is far greater because Ida is far from alone in her struggle. Our most recent information indicates that only 182 Soviet Jews arrived in Vienna. with Israeli visas. from the Soviet Union during the month of June. This is a decrease of 96 percent from the 4.500 Jews who received exit visas in June of 1979. This represents the sharpest decline in emigration since it effectively began in 1971. During the first half of this year. about 1.500 Jews arrived in Vienna from the Soviet Union. During the first half of 1979. 25.000 Jews received exit visas. Last year. only 9.447 Jews were permitted to emigrate. as compared to the 51.320 who were granted visas in 1979. Today is a day of solidarity. not just for Ida Nudel. but also for Anatoly Shcharansky. for Mark Nashpitz. and. in fact. for the 500.000 Soviet Jews who. like Ida Nudel. have continually applied for. and have been denied. exit visas. and who have been harassed. imprisoned. persecuted and exiled solely because they do not choose to remain residents of the Soviet Union. I recently spoke in behalf of Ida Nudel. and today I am speaking again. I will continue to work for Idas release. and will continue to oppose the distressing violation of human rights in the Soviet Union. We must demonstrate to the Soviet Union that we have not tired of this issue. We will not give up our fight for what we know to be a vital cause. I urge my colleagues to join in this day of solidarity for Ida Nudel. and for the 500.000 Soviet Jews who have applied for exit visas. and I ask that we all join together in an effort to assist the emigration of Soviet Jews and the release of all Prisoners of Conscience in the Soviet Union. [ 1920 I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
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emigrate emigration visas