Speech #990002244

Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to pledge my support for the millions of Jews living under oppression in the Soviet Union. As we all know. the number of Jews allowed to emigrate from the Soviet Union has been reduced to barely a trickle. The recent statement from Moscow that "all the Jews who wanted to leave have already done so" would seem merely absurd if it werent so cruel. According to the National Conference on Soviet Jewry. at least 350.000 Jews have begun the emigration process. Many have waited years without hearing a word regarding their application. and thousands are hoping to be reunited with family members in the West. These refuseniks" are considered outcasts in the Soviet society and are subject to numerous forms of intimidation by the omnipotent KGB. Equally as frightening as the withholding of emigration rights and the intimidation of refuseniks is the assault on Jewish culture within the Soviet Union. Recently there has been an increase in the harassment of Hebrew teachers and cultural activists. The upsurge in the number of arrests on false charges of these teachers and activists is evidence of the Soviets determination to suppress Jewish culture in the Soviet Union. I call on the Soviet Union to Join the family of nations in honoring the Helsinki accords. which guarantee an individuals rights to freedom of religion. cultural practices and emigrationa situation which clearly does not exist in the Soviet Union today. Furthermore. Mr. Speaker. I would like to introduce this body to the family that I. as the Member from the 13th District of New Jersey. have adopted through the Soviet Jewry Adoption Program. Gennady Feldman and his family first applied to emigrate from the Soviet Union in 1976. As they wait to be allowed to be reunited with Gennadys parents and sister in Israel. the Feldmans will know that we in the West have not forgotten their plight and will not rest until all refuseniks are allowed to emigrate freely.*