Mr. Speaker. Ida Nudel serves as a perfect representation of the thousands of Soviet citizens determined to emigrate from the U.S.S.R. Ida Nudel has been denied this basic right and has been treated unjustly by the Soviet Government. After applying for a visa in 1971. she was not only refused permission to emigrate but was also banned from the job market. Despite the fact that she was under close surveillance by authorities and was barely able to support herself. she dedicated herself to the Soviet prisoners of conscience and earned the heroine reputation as "Guardian Angel of the Prisoners." After 7 years of fighting for human rights. she was sentenced to Siberian exile simply for expressing her wish on a sign: "KGB. give me my visa." This strong woman was released this past spring and deserves to become united with her only living relative in Israel. Last year. the number of Jews seeking to emigrate from the Soviet Union rose to its highest level ever. The number permitted to leave. however. sank to less than 10 percent of the 1979 level. The United States. which stands so strongly for the freedom of the oppressed. cannot pass up any opportunity to continue to press the Soviet Union to comply with the international agreements supporting human rights. agreements which the U.S.S.R. has signed.
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emigrate visa