Speech #990013236

I am pleased to join with my colleagues today in drawing attention to the plight of the Soviet Jewish community. I commend Representative MRAZEK and my other colleagues who have organized this special order. Earlier this afternoon. many of us joined together on the west front steps of the Capitol in the Congressional Fast and Prayer Vigil for Soviet Jewry. We gathered to join in solidarity with 2 million Soviet Jews who are being subjected to continuous and unrelenting government harassment and persecution. Under the direction of the Soviet leaders. Jewish emigration levels have slowed to a trickle. AntiSemitic statements by government officials are increasingly common and virulent. Hebrew teachers have been arrested. assaulted. and imprisoned on makebelieve charges.