Mr. Speaker. during the first session of the 99th Congress some 50 Members of this body participated in efforts to focus attention on the plight of prisoners of conscience and others living under oppression In the Soviet Unionndividuals who seek freedom. but are neither permitted to freely practice their religion or to leave the Soviet Union. While emigration numbers have been severely reduced over the last few years. Soviet harassment and discrimination have continued unabated. With the assistance of the membership of this body. the Congressional Call to Conscience Vigil for Soviet Jews. sponsored by the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews. will continue these efforts In this session of the Congress. The purpose of the vigil. which began In 1976. Is to use weekly CONGRESSIONAL RECORD statements as a vehicle to expose and denounce Soviet oppression. In the past. the vigil has been particularly useful In voicing bipartisan congression- support for individuals and families wishing to emigrate to the free world. as Illustrated by numerous statements through the vigil on behalf of recently released prisoner of conscience. Anatoly Shcharansky. Given the renewed dialog between the United States and the Soviet Union and the subsequent meeting between President Reagan and Secretary Gorbachev scheduled for later this year. it Is particularly Important that we continue to demonstrate our concern about human rights Issues and violations In the Soviet Union.
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emigrate emigration