PRINTER'S NO. 2059
No. 150 Session of 1990
INTRODUCED BY REIBMAN, MUSTO, SALVATORE, JONES, O'PAKE,
SHUMAKER, ARMSTRONG, PECORA, BELL, DAWIDA, ROCKS, HELFRICK,
SHAFFER, WENGER, WILLIAMS AND FUMO, MARCH 27, 1990
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 27, 1990
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the President of the United States, the Secretary
2 of State and the Congress of the United States to call to the
3 attention of the Soviet leadership the urgent need to
4 undertake effective measures to combat anti-Semitism.
5 WHEREAS, Anti-Semitism is one of the most dangerous elements
6 to emerge from the era of glasnost in the Soviet Union. From
7 State-sponsored anti-Semitism of the earlier eras of Soviet
8 history, in which Soviet Jews understood that there were limits
9 to its reach and that in the final analysis the State would
10 probably protect their physical security, we have now moved to a
11 period of overt, public anti-Semitism fanned by nationalistic
12 and chauvinistic groups and individuals; and
13 WHEREAS, The Soviet Jews now perceive a direct and real
14 threat to their physical well-being and existence, and, in the
15 present circumstances, are unsure about the willingness or
16 ability of the State to protect them; and
17 WHEREAS, The rising sense of fear -- even panic -- widely
18 shared among the Soviet Jewish population is fueled by the
1 growing economic and political instability in the U.S.S.R., by
2 the spread of ethnic tensions, by the deep concerns about the
3 future of the country, and, finally, by the recent pogroms which
4 took place against the Armenian majority residing in certain
5 areas of Azerbaidzhan; and
6 WHEREAS, There have already been a number of physical attacks
7 upon Jews reported in the West, including the brutal disruption
8 and vandalism of a Writer's Union meeting by anti-Semitic thugs;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, Action is needed now to call to the attention of
11 Soviet leadership the urgent need to undertake effective
12 measures to combat this pernicious manifestation which is
13 threatening the lives and security of the Jewish population. Our
14 efforts can help to ease the fears of Soviet Jews and decrease
15 the potential physical risks about which they are so concerned;
16 therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
18 memorialize the President of the United States, the Secretary of
19 State and the Congress of the United States to use every
20 opportunity to sensitize the Soviet leadership to the dangers of
21 their current inaction in combating anti-Semitism and to the
22 need of making a strong statement on anti-Semitism, and to
23 ensure that Soviet laws on ethnic incitement are fully enforced;
24 and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
26 President George Bush, Secretary of State James Baker, to the
27 presiding officers of each house of Congress, and to each member
28 of Congress from Pennsylvania.
B14L82CHF/19900S0150R2059 - 2 -