Piesident. I rise today to speak on behalf of the Apekin family of Moscow. Since 1979. they have suffered for trying to exercise their right to emigrate to Israel. as granted under the Helsinki accords. The Apekins tragic story mirrors those of thousands of other Soviet Jews. Vladimir. his wife Ekaterina. their daughter and grandaughter are "refuseniks." Since they were officially denied permission to leave the Soviet Union. both Vladimir and Ekaterina have lost their jobs. been subject to officially sanctioned harassment. and been denied needed medical care. The Apekins story is made more tragic by the fact that a visa would not only grant the Apekins freedom. it also might save Vladimir from losing his legs. Mr. Apekin suffers from an ischemic heart condition that daily denies his legs lifegiving blood flow.
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