Speech #1000090956

I would like to commend the leaders of the Congressional Coalition for Soviet Jews for organizing todays special order. Today is an appropriate occasion to call attention to the plight of Soviet Jews because Secretary of State George Shultz and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze are meeting in Washington. While there are many important topics to be discussed during their meetings. none are more important than the Soviet Unions emigration policies. We have all been encouraged by the recent release of many prominent refuseniks and prisoners of conscience. but we must not let these cases overshadow the fact that there are still approximately 400.000 Jews who wish to leave the Soviet Union. It is still extremely dangerous for the Jewish people of the Soviet Union to learn Hebrew and to practice their religion. Rabbinical training. essential to the future of Judaism. is still forbidden. Furthermore. to even apply for emigration in the Soviet Union is to invite demotion or dismissal from ones job. the loss of academic degrees. and other acts of harassment. Recent changes in the Soviet Unions emigration laws have also made it more difficult for Jews to receive permission to emigrate. Mr. Speaker. while many prominent refuseniks have been allowed to leave the Soviet Union. there are too many unknowns who remain. Secretary General Gorbachev recently told a congressional delegation that denying an exit visa on the basis the applicant has been in possession of state secrets should be a relevant concern for only 5 or 10 years. In 1977. one of my constituents was forced to divorce her husband so that she and her son could emigrate. Her husband was not allowed to emigrate because of his supposed access to sensitive information. Although his employment and supposed access ended 14 years ago. his requests for an exit visa have been repeatedly denied. Mr. Speaker. the United States must continue to press the Soviet Government to reform their emigration policies. I am hopeful that Secretary Shultz and Foreign Minister Shevardnadze will discuss these issues and come to a favorable resolution. The Soviet Union must understand that while the United States will not allow Soviet Jews to be used as pawns. neither will we cease our efforts on their behalf.