Speech #990013249

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to join the sponsors of the congressional fast and prayer vigil for Soviet Jewry in calling attention to the devastatingly small numbers of Soviet Jews permitted to emigrate from the Soviet Union. During this time of change in Soviet leadership. it is vital that we continue to stress our deep concern about the persecution of Soviet Jews at every opportunity. Mr. Speaker. a new leader has taken power in the Soviet Union at a time when the level of Jewish emigration has severely diminished from the 1979 peak of 51.000. During this initial period when there is a possibility of improved United StatesSoviet relations. we must stress to the Soviet leadership that the human rights violation perpetrated by the Soviets against Soviet Jews are acceptable neither to the United States nor to any country that values the fur3damental freedoms of speech. religion. political belief. and press. In an effort to call attention to this grave concern.