Speech #980252536

Speaker. I would like to rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 107. which expresses the concern of Congress regarding the plight of Ethiopian Jews. The Beta Yisrael. also known as the Falashas. have been living in Ethiopia and in refugee camps outside of Ethiopia. These people suffer from poverty. sickness. persecution and neglect. They have been restricted from emigrating to Israel to be reunited with family and friends. Many regions of Ethiopia have suffered from a prolonged drought. The almost complete failure of the secondary harvest several months ago has intensified the difficult conditions under which the Ethiopian Jews live. This resolution reflects the concerns of many of my constituents and myself. It encourages the President of the United States to maintain a continuing dialog with the Ethiopian Government on the issue of the welfare and rights of all Ethiopian citizens including Ethiopian Jews. The resolution calls on other governments to allow for the free emigration of Ethiopian Jews. and requests the President to seek ways of assisting the Ethiopian Jews in their efforts. It is easy for many of us to forget that not all people are able to pursue the religious freedom that we enjoy. Everyone should have the right to practice their religion without restrictions and fear of persecution. The Ethiopian Jews do not have this freedom. It is important that the United States express concern for these peoples. I urge those in Congress. the President. and the American people to send our message to the Government of Ethiopia to give freedom to those wishing to emigrate and to those wishing to practice their religion.*