[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 40 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2202, IMMIGRATION IN THE NATIONAL 
                          INTEREST ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 1996

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I am offering an amendment to H.R. 2202, 
the Immigration in the National Interest Act, as part of this en bloc 
amendment to correct an injustice done to the Polish community during 
the 1995 diversity visa process.
  During the visa lottery, the State Department committed an error 
which resulted in 49,895 Poles being notified that they were eligible 
for visas. These individuals were not told that a maximum of 3,850 
visas were available, or how many of their countrymen they were 
competing against. Thousands sent in the $130 fee, only to be denied a 
visa.
  For all other nationalities, approximately two to four times as many 
applicants were notified as there were visas distributed. More than 12 
times as many Poles were notified than the quantity of visas designated 
for this nationality.
  The State Department's error was completely preventable and never 
should have occurred. Therefore, my amendment would require the 
Department of State to refund the $130 fee paid by the thousands of 
Polish applicants who did not receive a visa. In addition, the 
Department would be required to review and revise its procedures to 
ensure that this type of situation does not happen again--to Poles or 
anyone else.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in pursuing justice 
for the thousands of Poles who were the victims of this bureaucratic 
bungle. I urge a vote in support of this en bloc amendment.

                          ____________________