[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 635 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 635

To designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program 
 established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 8, 2005

 Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut (for herself, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Shimkus, 
 Mr. Crowley, and Mr. Weiner) introduced the following bill; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program 
 established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Since the founding of the United States, Poland has 
        proven its steadfast dedication to the causes of freedom and 
        friendship with the United States, exemplified by the brave 
        actions of Polish patriots such as Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz 
        Kosciuszko during the American Revolution.
            (2) Polish history provides pioneering examples of 
        constitutional democracy and religious tolerance.
            (3) The United States is home to nearly 9,000,000 people of 
        Polish ancestry.
            (4) Polish immigrants have contributed greatly to the 
        success of industry and agriculture in the United States.
            (5) Since the demise of communism, Poland has become a 
        stable, democratic nation.
            (6) Poland has adopted economic policies that promote free 
        markets and rapid economic growth.
            (7) On March 12, 1999, Poland demonstrated its commitment 
        to global security by becoming a member of the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization.
            (8) On May 1, 2004, Poland will become a member State of 
        the European Union.
            (9) Poland was a staunch ally to the United States during 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom.
            (10) Poland has committed 2,300 soldiers to help with 
        ongoing peacekeeping efforts in Iraq.
            (11) The Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of 
        State administer the visa waiver program, which allows citizens 
        from 27 countries, including France and Germany, to visit the 
        United States as tourists without visas.
            (12) On April 15, 1991, Poland unilaterally repealed the 
        visa requirement for United States citizens traveling to Poland 
        for 90 days or less.
            (13) More than 100,000 Polish citizens visit the United 
        States each year.

SEC. 2. RENDERING POLAND VISA WAIVER PROGRAM COUNTRY.

    Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
notwithstanding section 217(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1187(c)), Poland shall be deemed a designated program country 
for purposes of the visa waiver program established under section 217 
of such Act.
                                 <all>