Madam Speaker I join with my colleagues in paying respects to HENRY "SCOOP" JACKSON. It is with great admiration that I remember a man whose bold stance in support of human rights manifested itself most effectively through legislation he helped to pass on the Hill. The JacksonVanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 was a milestone effort to encourage worldwide respect for the basic human right to emigrate. It proposed that nonmarket economy countries commit themselves to freer emigration policies and practices before being eligible for mostfavorednation treatment and government credits. As a result. the Soviet Union eventually opened its doors and allowed over 51.000 Jews to emigrate in 1979. a figure all the more remarkable when it is remembered that between 1945 and 1970. only 10.000 Jews were allowed to leave. Senator JACKSONS sensitivity toward the plight of Jews arose in part from his participation in a congressional pilgrimage to the Buchenwald concentration camp just after the end of the Second World War. The horror he felt over Hilters cruelty was translated into his staunch defense not only of the Jewish peoples right to emigrate from countries hostile to them but also of the- creation and preservation of Israel as a distinctly Jewish state. Senator JACKSON called Israel "a modern oasisa nation of democratic institutions. civil rights. economic opportunity. advanced education. and superb health care." Scoop Jacksons example serves as a reminder to all people who believe that the quest for human rights is futile. His own clear vision of such a possiblity if gradually coming into universal focus.o
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration