Mr. Speaker. I rise to add to the statements of my friends and colleagues today as we pay tribute to those brave. suffering souls who maintain their courage and demand to emigrate in the face of increasing Soviet persecution. This is no small matter when one considers the ways and means employed by Soviet authorities to break the spirit of this movement. Anatoly Shcharansky describes these methods in this correspondence: In March and April. during Interrogation. the chief investigators warned me that the position I have taken during investigation. and held to here in court. I would be threatened with execution by firing squad. or at least 15 years. If I would agree to cooperate with the investigation for the purpose of de2920 cc stroying the Jewish emigration movement they promised me early freedom and a quick reunion with my wife. This cynical and barbarous use of power by Soviet Government officials described by Mr. Shcharansky is unfortunately typical of the way the Soviets treat those Jews who have indicated a desire to move West. It is disheartening to think that the Soviets are getting more repressive. not less. in recent years. Continued defiance by Jews wishing to emigrate confirms my conviction that ultimately the individual is stronger than the state. Continued persecution. indeed intensified persecution. all point to the fact that defiance by refuseniks courageously endures.e
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emigrate emigration