[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 78 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 78

 Recognizing the importance of designating the Republic of Poland as a 
 program country for purposes of the visa waiver program under section 
217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and urging the Secretary of 
   Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to assist Poland in 
                      qualifying for such program.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 9, 2005

 Mr. Emanuel (for himself, Mr. Foley, Mr. Dingell, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. 
    Lipinski, and Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the importance of designating the Republic of Poland as a 
 program country for purposes of the visa waiver program under section 
217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and urging the Secretary of 
   Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to assist Poland in 
                      qualifying for such program.

Whereas the United States and the Republic of Poland share the historical 
        experience of fighting for freedom, democracy, and universal values;
Whereas the bravest sons of the Polish nation, General Thaddeus Kosciuszko and 
        General Casimir Pulaski among them, fought for the the independence of 
        the United States from England;
Whereas the Republic of Poland is now a free, democratic, and independent 
        nation;
Whereas the Republic of Poland and the United States in 1999 became formal 
        allies through membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
Whereas no Polish citizen to date has been proven to support, be associated 
        with, or be engaged in any form of terrorist activity;
Whereas the Republic of Poland has proven to be an indispensable ally in the 
        global campaign against terrorism;
Whereas the Republic of Poland actively participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 
        and the reconstruction of Iraq, shedding blood along with American 
        soldiers;
Whereas the President of the United States and other high-ranking officials of 
        the United States have described Poland as one of America's closest 
        allies in Europe;
Whereas on April 15, 1991, the Republic of Poland unilaterally repealed the 
        requirement that United States citizens traveling to Poland obtain a 
        visa; and
Whereas the 27 countries that are designated as program countries for purposes 
        of the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act include Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, 
        Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, 
        Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, 
        Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, 
        and the United Kingdom: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of designating the Republic 
        of Poland as a program country for purposes of the visa waiver 
        program established under section 217 of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act; and
            (2) urges the Secretary of Homeland Security and the 
        Secretary of State to assist Poland in reducing its 
        nonimmigrant visa refusal rate so that Poland may qualify for 
        such designation.
                                 <all>