Speaker. I know that all of us share a sense of gratitude and genuine relief that the U.S.S.R. and other repressive satellite governments of Eastern Europe have faded away with a minimum of violence and bloodshed. and we welcome the tremendous improvements in human rights that have taken place In that part of the world. Nothing Is more representative of these changes than the lifting of harsh policies and immigration restrictions that have threatened the lives of Jewish citizens in those countries for so many years. As one who has worked for decades to protect and assist those Jews. I have a sense of very personal satisfaction about what has happened in Eastern Europe. I wish I could tell the House that it is no longer necessary to be concerned about the safety of Jews. but this is not the case. Today in Syria a Jewish community of some 4.500 people is being increasingly threatened by one of the worlds most despotic and cruel governments and it is important to emphasize our support for these people. It is a sad fact that Syria continues to deny its small Jewish minority the right to emigrate and the secret police subject them to close and persistent surveillance. This is a situation that has the potential to develop Into another international hostage crisis and we must bring pressure on Syria to end these practices and meet basic international human rights standards. I urge the Bush administration to make this a priority human issue and I ask your help in working to free the Jews who are trapped in Syria.
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emigrate immigration