Speech #980107601

They have been suffering indignity and inhumane treatment for decades. This heinous act and the resultant reassessment of U.S.-Soviet relations should serve to focus international attention on the Soviet Unions treatment of its Jewish population. Emigration of Soviet Jewry in 1983 has dropped dramatically. Only 934 Jews have emigrated from the Soviet Union in the first 8 months of 1983. This figure is even more shocking and disturbing when compared to the 33.553 Jews who emigrated in the first 8 months of 1979. It is estimated that only 1.400 Jews can be expected to emigrate this year. This is less than 3 percent of the SovietJewish emigration of 51.331 in 1979. We must continue to work for the freedom of all Soviet Jews. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work together in this most challenging and important struggle on behalf of Soviet Jewry.e