Speech #990245526

I rise today to join my colleagues in the Congressional Call to Conscience Vigil. sponsored by the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews. I would like to express my deep thanks to my colleague from Ohio. TOM KINDNESS. for coordinating these efforts and speaking out on behalf of those desiring to emigrate from the Soviet Union. Mr. Speaker. the situation for Jews in the Soviet Union Is becoming Increasingly dismal. The emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union has fallen drastically. to the point where the doors seem to have been closed. To date. only 417 Jews has been permitted to exit from the Soviet Union this year. In addition. only 31 were permitted to emigrate last month. the second lowest monthly figure In history. The cases that were to be resolved as a result of the recently concluded Bern Conference have not been resolved. those promised exit visas still have not seen those visas become a reality. And the Soviet Government still plays games with the promised emigration of Leonid Shcharansky and Ida Milgrom. brother and mother of Anatoly Shcharansky. Mr. Speaker. the situation Is indeed grim.