Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to help focus attention on the plight of Soviet Jews and other prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Union who are denied basic human rights and privilegessuch as the right to practice their religion freely and to emigrate. I join with many of my colleagues in the House and Americans all across the Nation to applaud the longawaited release and emigration of Soviet dissident Anatoly Shcharansky. in the hope that this action marks a new trend in Soviet policy. If it represents a new trend. it would be a most welcome event. Because. despite the best efforts of Members of Congress and concerned American citizens in recent years. there has been little noticeable improvement in Soviet emigration policy toward its Jewish citizens. In fact. sadly to note. Soviet Jewish emigration has been in decline since 1979when Soviet officials placed more stringent restrictions on emigration. Emigration reached its highest level in nearly 2 years in April 1985. when 166 Jewish citizens were permitted to leave. And. that number is appallingly low. The testimony of Mr.
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