But his eventual success in rejoining his family is. unfortunately. an exceptional case. There are thousands like him who. though separation. continue to be denied the right to be with their loved ones and practice their religious beliefs. Our presence today serves not only to emphasize the plight of those thousands. but also. to renew our efforts to see that the over 300.000 Soviet Jews who desire to emigrate realize their dream. The announcement by the Soviet Union last month that it will resolve 36 cases of divided families by allowing more than 200 Soviet citizens to emigrate gives us reason to be encouraged. but it should In no way diminish our struggle to help those who wish to practice their freedom. emigrate and be reunited with their families. I have sponsored three familit... who are among those who still wait: the Eoris Ghinis family. the Mikhail Kazanovich family. and the Antanas Vausa family. These three families. two of whom are of Jewish descent and the other of Lithuanian descent. have been denied emigration for years and have all had to endure Incredible hardships because of their quest to practice their religion and be reunited with their families. The release of the more than 200 citizens who wish to emigrate Is a step forward by the Soviets In resolving humanitarian cases in a spirit of cooperation. It is my hope that by continuing to build on the progress made at the Geneva summit last year. we can eliminate the need for a Fifth Annual Congressional Fast and Prayer Vigil for Soviet Jewry. and celebrate instead the fulfillment of the dream of freedom for the thousands who continue to struggle and live under oppressive states.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration