I want to commend the principal sponsors of these resolutions. representatives LEs AuCoIN. BARBARA KENNELLY. and MARK SILJANDER for bringing this important issue to the attention of the House. The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe has also been vitally involved in this matter and in actions to ease the emigration restrictions on Soviet Jews. I want to pay a special tribute to Congressman FASCELL. who chairs this distinguished panel. as well as the Foreign Affairs Committee. His tireless efforts and superb leadership have kept this matter at the forefront of the public agenda. The situation for Jews wishing to leave the Soviet Union is bleak. Jewish emigration levels which were intolerable when the resolution was introduced nearly 2 years ago. have declined since that time. They have reached a 14year nadir of less than 75 per month. What makes this situation particularly critical is the fact that those who seek to emigrate. but are denied that right. are then subjected to insufferable conditions. These socalled refuseniks then become the sufferers of oppression within the Soviet Union. Frequently. ousted from their homes and jobs. they may also be stripped of their academic degrees and professional affiliations.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration