The frustration of Soviet Jews is compounded by their inability to escape from this oppression. From 1948 to 1968. 6.934 Jews left the U.S.S.R.. from September 1968 to 1981. the total Jumped to 259.619. But. since 1981. less than 5.000 Jews have emigrated! Hundreds of thousands more Jews have begun the emigration process. making it difficult to believe the Soviet Governments assertion that "all Jews who wanted to leave the Soviet Union have already done so." With the change of leaders this winter. there was great hope that this repressive policy would change. However. emigration figures for this year reflect the continuing effort by the Soviet Government to restrict the departure of Jews to Israel. In January. only 51 Jews were allowed to leave. February saw 88 departures. in March. 97 Jews left. and in April. the number was up to 166. This slight upward trend for April is a step in the right direction. However. the increasing numbers reflect the departure of large groups of Muscovite Jews. many of whom had been waiting for a very long time. and the government has clamped down on emigration from other parts of the country. Mr. Speaker. we meet today in Congress to express our concern about the plight of Soviet Jews. and we will continue to do so until all Soviet Jews who desire to emigrate have been given that opportunity. From dozens of joint and concurrent resolutions. letters to Soviet and American officials. and special events like "Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry" and a prayer vigil held here in March. I have Joined my colleagues in urging that Soviet Jews be given the freedom to leave if they so choose. or to stay and worship unharassed and unrestricted.
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emigrate emigration emigrated