[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 167 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ANNIVERSARIES OF MASS MOVEMENT FOR SOVIET JEWISH FREEDOM 
               AND FREEDOM SUNDAY RALLY FOR SOVIET JEWRY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to throw my endorsement behind 
a resolution of great import--one that highlights the struggle of 
Jewish freedom in the former Soviet Union and pays tribute to one of 
the great civil rights movements of the last century. The will and 
forbearance of man and woman is best evinced when they are faced with 
adversity. Victims to a repressive anti-Zionist state that stripped its 
Jewish citizens of their rights to emigrate, be autonomous, and engage 
in religious prerogatives, Soviet Jewry channeled the strength of its 
community into one, harmonious dissenting voice. That takes awe-
inspiring courage, and it more than merits our recognition today.
  Only two decades have passed since a full quarter of a million of our 
frustrated brothers and sisters marched on Washington, demonstrating 
remarkable solidarity in numbers and unmatched political resolve. Only 
two decades before that, the seeds of focused defiance were being sown, 
a movement young in age but ripe at heart. And now, four decades later, 
the legacy of that effort has come to brilliant fruition. A renaissance 
of Jewish culture has cemented itself in the modern-day consciousness 
of the Russian people--and that is an exceptionally good thing.
  Let us echo that spirit of unity, camaraderie, fraternity, and in one 
voice, honor their memories that inspire and move us to this day. Mazel 
Tov, my friends.

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