Speech #990005068

I introduced a sense of the Congress resolution calling upon the Soviet Union to cease its concentrated and systematic persecution of Hebrew teachers and cultural activists. Mr. Speaker. it seems clear to me that this unseemly trend could have ominous implications for improved relations between the United States and U.S.S.R.-pervasive human rights violations are stumbling blocks to closer relations between our two nationsand is especially disturbing when coupled with the downturn in Jewish emigration since 1979. On that score. 1984 was the worst year since Jewish emigration began. Only 896 Jews were permitted to emigrate last year. down from over 51.000 in 1979. Mr. Speaker. reports filtering back to the United States indicate that in addition to the wave of arrests and convictions. scores of Hebrew teachers have been warned to stop teaching Hebrew or face severe punishment.