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New Bill for Visa Waiver for Polish citizens
From: PAC CHICAGO OFFICE [mailto:pacchgo@polamcon.org]
Subject: PAC Press Release 2-14-05
Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania introduced legislation on Thursday,
February 10, 2005 which would include Poland in the Visa Waiver Program.
Co-sponsoring the bill is Maryland's Senator Barbara Mikulski.
At his press conference, Senator Santorum said that his bill is identical to
the one he introduced in September 2004 which did not pass as it did not clear
the Democratic side. He is optimistic that this time it will pass due to the
growing support in the U.S. House of Representatives and with the public
support of the Bush Administration.
When asked the reason for his motivation in introducing the Bill for
including Poland in the Visa Waiver Program, he thanked the Polish American
constituency in Pennsylvania that contacted his office and for bringing it to his
attention. He added that Poland is a staunch ally and friend of the U.S. in internal
affairs. Senator Santorum concluded by saying that Poland has an improving
economy, an emerging democracy and should be treated as the other democracies
in Europe.
Participating in the conference call was Polish American Congress National
Executive Director, Les Kuczynski. The Polish American Congress was
instrumental in having Senator Santorum introduce his bill and for Senator
Mikulski joining as a co-sponsor.
Earlier this week, two bills were introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives which would include Poland in the Visa Waiver Program.
Connecticut Congresswoman Nancy Johnson reintroduced her bill which is
identical in language with Senator Santorum's bill. A different version was
introduced by Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from Houston which would
provide for a contingency step to help Poland meet the 3% overstay rate.
Congressman Dan Lipinski of Chicago is a co-sponsor of both bills. Illinois
Congressman Shimkus is co-sponsoring the Johnson bill.
Polish American Congress President Edward J. Moskal was encouraged by the
action in the U.S. Congress as are the PAC State Divisions in Pennsylvania (in
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) who supported Senator Santorum in his legislation.
Polish American Congress divisions in Massachusetts and New Jersey were
instrumental in having Resolutions passed by the State Legislatures in
Vermont, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Additional Resolutions are pending in other
states.
The PAC will actively participate in the legislative 'roadmap' as it will be
announced in the not too distant future. The Polish American community will
be able to help further this process.
* * *
On the same subject [if article is not there, search archives] :
Bias against Poland
By Arnold Beichman
Washington Times, Feb. 21, 2005
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives
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