The right to religious freedom is. of course. basic and fundamental to our own society and we know the hardship that our forebearers underwent to establish that right for us. It is for this reason that we feel a special sense of togetherness and purpose in urging Soviet authorities to recognize this right. We cannot protest too loudly the decline in emigration at a time when we continue to receive disturbing reports of increases in antiSemitic acts and welldetermined efforts to destroy Jewish culture and religious training. The courage shown by the Soviet Jews in the face of Soviet authority is a source of inspiration to all Americans. In Orange County. Calif.. we have been making special efforts on behalf of the Khozin family. which is seeking to emigrate to Israel to rejoin their relatives. Despite assurances from Soviet authorities that they would be allowed to emigrate. they have not been able to do so after 6 years of appeals made to Soviet leaders by my colleagues and other concerned Americans. I believe that our special order today will send a necessary word of encouragement to the Khozins who. although discouraged. will know that we are not insensitive to their plight. I hope we will also be sending another message to the new Soviet leadership. reminding them that we. as well as other concerned peoples of the world. shall persevere in our efforts to obtain recognition of these human rights for all Soviet Jews.
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emigrate emigration