Speech #980184495

The preamble was agreed to. The resolution. and the preamble. are as follows: S. Rus. 367 Whereas on May 6. 1984. the constituent agencies of the Greater New York Conferences on Soviet Jewry will convene the thirteenth annual "Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry" in reaffirmation of the American Peoples resolve to secure freedom for Soviet Jews and beleaguered persons everywhere: and Whereas Americans of all faiths will join in myriad activities on that day in public expression of soldarity with the long suffering Jewish community in the Soviet Union. and Whereas the right to emigrate freely and to be reunited with ones family abroad Is denied Jews and many others in the Soviet Union. and Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. and the Helsinki Final Act explicitly assert guarantees of those rights. and Whereas the Government of the Soviet Union has nevertheless continued to implement new restrictive measures further reducing the number of persons able to emigrate. bringing Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union to a virtual halt in 1983. and Whereas the Government of the Soviet Union is persecuting its Jewish citizens and denying them even those few rights and privileges accorded other recognized religions In the Soviet Union. and Whereas the Government of the Soviet Union discriminates against Jewish cultural activities by banning and suspending Hebrew and Jewish cultural classes. by arresting teachers of Hebrew. and by harassing those Soviet Jews who seek only to practice their religion. and Whereas leading Soviet Jewish activist and prisoner of conscience Anatoly Shcharansky. who was arrested in March of 1977 and falsely charged with espionage and "antiSoviet agitation". continues to suffer exceptionally harsh treatment in Chistopol prison. and Whereas a virulent antiSemitic campaign continues unabated in the Soviet Union and Soviet Jews are increasingly deprived of occupational and educational opportunities. and Whereas thousands of innocent Jews and other persons. having applied to leave the Soviet Union. have been subjected to inmediate Induction into the armed forces. Improper incarceration in mental institutions. explusion from school. and constant surveillance and harassment. and Whereas the Government of the Soviet Union will not succeed in isolating Soviet Jews from their friends in the free world so long as those who cherish liberty continue to speak on behalf of beleaguered people everywhere. and Whereas "Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry" shall provide vigorous expression of American determination to secure freedom for Soviet Jewish prisoners of conscience incarcerated solely for their desire to emigrate. and Whereas the Government of the Soviet Union refuses to permit the free exercise of religious beliefs and cultural expression and also refuses to remove all obstacles to the free emigration of its Jewish citizens and others who wish to leave and live in other countries: Now. therefore. be it Resolved. That it is the sense of the Senate that the Congress fully supports "Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry" and encourages Americans to participate.