Mr. Speaker. President Reagan has been an eloquent spokesman on behalf of Soviet Jewry. lie has promised that. in every discussion with the Soviets. on every level. we would bring to the table our concerns. as a Nation. for the right of Soviet Jews to enjoy the guarantees of the Helsinki accords. including freedom of emigration and their right to practice their religion without Intimidation or coercion by the state. Although the Presidents intentions are laudable and his words noble. his record leaves so very much to be desired. The sad fact remains. after 5 years of administration efforts. fewer Jews are leaving the Soviet Union today than at any time in recent memory. Less than 900 are expected to emigrate this year. a sad trickle compared to the torrent of 50.000 permitted to leave in 1979. during the Carter administration. The recent Soviet gesture on behalf of Yelena Bonner must not obscure the fact that hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews are languishing under the yoke of repres. sion. fear. and terror. The continuing brutal imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration