Speech #990013265

Speaker. today marks the third anniversary of the congressional fast and prayer vigil for Soviet Jews as well as the ninth anniversary of the arrest of Anatoly Shcharansky. a wellknown refusenik. Our purpose during this day of fast and prayer is to express our solidarity with all victims of Soviet oppression who daily risk their lives and those of their families in the pursuit of basic human rights. I am certain that we are all aware of the situation of Anatoly Shcharansky. who was sentenced in July 1978 to 13 years "deprivation of liberty" for having been in the middle of the fight for visas and for basic human rights. The bravery and hope which he continues to exude while in prison is characteristic of the Soviet Jew. and heartening to us all. As it has been said. the Jewish heart always hopes. Anatolys situation is not unique. nor is it unusual. it is. unfortunately. all too common. Contrary to what had been hoped by the Soviet officials. the emigration movement did not suffer because of Anatolys imprisonment. instead it grew stronger. instead of discontinuing their efforts to fight for basic human rights. refuseniks are increasing their efforts. It is in this light that I would like us to think about the atmosphere currently surrounding the emigration movement in the Soviet Union. That is. not as something which is futile and hopeless. however distressful it is. but as a movement which is daily gaining strength through attention and worldwide support. Today as we focus our attention on this distressing situation let us remind ourselves of the bravery of refuseniks. such as Anatoly Shcharansky. and let us continue to express our solidarity with all victims of Soviet oppresssion.o