Mr. Speaker. the U.S. Congress remains committed to pressing the Soviet Government. under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev. to allow those desirous Jewish citizens to emigrate freely and without harassment or delay. To this end. I am pleased to participate in this years "Call to Conscience on behalf of Soviet Jewry." Mr. Speaker. the number of Soviet Jews allowed to emigrate has dropped precipitously. In 1979. approximately 51.000 Jews emigrated from the U.S.S.R.. mostly to the United States and Israel. In 1980. the number was 21.000. By 1984. however. the number had declined to less than 1.000. Obviously. Americans concerned with human rights condemn this blatant disregard for the political commitments made under the Helsinki accords. Contrary to the claims of Soviet Government spokesmen. there are many Soviet Jews who still wish to emigrate. They have been repeatedly denied this fundamental human liberty. and many have suffered through persecution. detention. harassment.m and other reprehensible actions. Let us be clear in our position.
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