Speaker. as a cosponsor of this legislation. I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 34. I think it is important that this measure comes before us today. so soon after it has been announced that more than 400 Soviet Jews were given visas to emigrate in March. We must not allow ourselves to think that the granting of emigration visas to 400 Soviet Jews in 1 month even begins to address the restoration of this internationally recognized right. Remember. in 1979. when Jewish emigration was at its highest. more than 4.000 Jews left each month. Remember too. that there are 400.000 Soviet Jews who have indicated their desire to leave the Soviet Union but have not been allowed and are suffering because of this desire. This resolution dedicates the 100th Congress to support. as a priority. restoration of emigration rights in the Soviet Union. I emphasize the word "restoration." On this issue. despite cosmetic actions orchestrated to match their glasnost rhetoric. the Soviets still violate their obligations under international agreements to respect basic human rights and freedoms. including the right to emigrate. This resolution is important because it sends the signal that we will not be fooled by empty actions and that the historic 100th Congress. in the historic 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitutionthe document that guarantees Americans the rights and freedoms that so many in the Soviet Union fight and suffer foris dedicating itself to the restoration of emigration rightsand all human rightsin the Soviet Union. I take this opportunity to invite my colleagues to join the gentlewoman from Maryland and myself in two special orders following regular business today that will address the issue of Soviet emigration policy and. in general. how glasnost has impacted on the human rights struggle in the Soviet Union.
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emigrate emigration visas