[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11459-S11460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
POLISH VISA WAIVERS
Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise very briefly to offer another
unanimous consent request. This is a unanimous consent request on a
piece of legislation that Senator Mikulski and I introduced earlier
this year regarding Polish visa waivers.
A visa waiver is a provision given in law to allow people from a
country with which the United States has good relationships to come
into this country for a temporary period of time as visitors, tourists,
without having to obtain a visa. In other words, this waives the visa
requirement that is generally imposed on people coming from other
countries to America. I believe we have done this with 27 other
countries because of the unique relationship we have with them and the
bond that the countries have with the U.S.
Poland, unfortunately, has not been granted that status. If you look
at the continent of Europe and at the great allies that we have on the
continent of Europe, obviously, the two that come to mind--in my mind
at least--are the Brits and the Italians. But Poland has shown, since
its release from the Soviet Union's sphere of influence, a remarkable
affinity for the United States and has shown tremendous strides and
advances both in terms of democracy, economy, and in their culture. It
is very much a country that is leaning and facing west. It is, to me, a
real injustice to the people of that country, who have been our
steadfast supporters, particularly in the most recent
[[Page S11460]]
conflict in Iraq, that we would not present them the opportunity we do
virtually every other country in Europe.
Senator Mikulski agrees, I think, with the statements I have made,
and she has said so on the floor of the Senate. We have been working in
the past couple of months to clear this legislation so it can pass the
Senate and be sent to the House, with the hope, at this late date, of
becoming law but, if not, accelerating the opportunity for it to become
law next year. Even at this late date, the hope is that once the bill
would get to the House, there would be the kind of support we have seen
in the Senate to pass it. The support is nearly unanimous.
As we all know, at this point in time in the Senate, nearly unanimous
isn't good enough. We need unanimous consent, or all Members of the
Senate to agree. I can speak on behalf of the Republican side of the
aisle. I have spoken to all Senators, or their offices, and every
Republican Senator has agreed to allow this bill to clear the Senate
and to pass today. We were willing to pass this bill before we broke in
October. We were willing to give this bill a chance to become law and
be signed by this President. I am hopeful that he would sign this
legislation.
But I have been informed that in spite of the good efforts of Senator
Mikulski, we may not be able to clear this legislation on the other
side of the aisle. That is a great disappointment to me and I know to
Senator Mikulski. I know it is a great disappointment to many Polish
Americans--9.3 million Polish persons. Over 100,000 Poles per year come
to this country to visit relatives and friends. Yet we cannot extend
this, I argue, minimal courtesy to those who have allied with us and
have shown their good hand of friendship toward us.
Mr. President, I will ask unanimous consent, in the hopes that maybe
even later after this consent request, which I am told will be objected
to, others will reconsider, and perhaps we can later tonight, or
tomorrow, or Saturday, or however long we will be here, be able to work
through this problem and get unanimous consent on this vitally
important piece of legislation for not just the 9.3 million Poles in
this country, but for all of us in America who would like to extend a
further hand of friendship and accord to the people of Poland who have
been such steadfast allies of our great country.
I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate
consideration of calendar 715, S. 2844.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, reserving the right to object. I must say
for the record that there are Members who strongly support this bill--
Senator Mikulski and others. However, on behalf of others, I must
object. Therefore, I do object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
Mr. SANTORUM. Thank you, Mr. President. I know the Senator from
Oklahoma intends to speak.
At this point, I ask unanimous consent that an explanation of this
issue be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
S. 2844--Designating Poland as a Visa Waiver Country--Calendar No 715
WHAT DOES THIS BILL DO?
Designates Poland as a visa waiver country. Citizens
visiting the U.S. within a 90-day period would not need to
apply for a visa.
WHY SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION?
Since the founding of the United States, Poland has proven
its steadfast dedication to the causes of freedom and
friendship with the United States. In addition, Polish
History provides pioneering examples of religious tolerance.
The United States is home to 9 million people of Polish
ancestry, including 429,000 in Florida, 854,000 in Michigan,
240,000 in Minnesota, 576,000 in New Jersey, 433,000 in Ohio,
824,146 in Pennsylvania, and 497,000 in Wisconsin. Polish
Immigrants have contributed greatly to the success of
industry and agriculture in the United States.
Since the demise of communism, Poland has become a stable,
democratic nation. Poland has adopted economic policies that
promote free markets and economic growth.
Poland demonstrated its commitment to global security by
becoming a member of NATO. Poland also just recently became a
member of the EU.
Poland was a staunch ally to the U.S. in Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Poland has committed 2,300 soldiers to help with
ongoing peace efforts in Iraq.
In 1991, Poland unilaterally repealed the visa requirement
for U.S. citizens traveling to Poland for less than 90 days.
And today, more than 100,000 Polish citizens travel to the
United States annually.
POLISH VISA REFUSAL RATE
Refusal rate can be an inaccurate measure because it is
based on decisions made by consular officers rather than the
actual behavior of non-immigrants. It does not reflect the
propensity of nationals from that country to overstay their
visas.
Nonetheless, Poland's visa refusal rate is declining
dramatically, from around 43% in FY 03 to approximately 30%
in FY 04.
Polish citizens who apply for a visa have on average, a one
and a half minute interview. This obviously is not enough
time for a consular officer to make a decision on whether or
not they will overstay their visas. In other western European
countries, the average interview is five minutes.
Consular Officers still have a 1980s view of Poland, a
country in serious economic trouble and under tyranny. This
is an unfair view as Poland in now a stable, democratic
nation that promotes free markets and economic growth.
Warsaw airport is in the pilot program for airport
screening, so most Poles who would travel to the U.S. under
Visa Waiver would face an INS determination of whether they
will be admitted before they get on a plane.
Poland's refusal rate does not reflect a high propensity
for terrorism. The State Department has given no indication
that the potential for terrorism in Poland significantly
exceeds that of the 27 countries currently participating in
the Visa Waiver Program.
IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT OUR STRONG ALLY AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME
Poland was a staunch ally to the U.S. in Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Poland has committed 2,300 soldiers to help with
ongoing peace efforts in Iraq.
Though a staunch ally, Poland has legitimate concerns about
our appreciation of their efforts. President Aleksander
Kwasniewski reiterated these concerns when Poland was not
included as an ally in Iraq during the Presidential Debate.
As Lech Walesa said, this would be a very symbolic gesture
for both the government and the people of Poland. We owe the
Poles our appreciation for their camaraderie and sacrifice in
a pivotal point in our history. This legislation would go a
long way in showing our appreciation for their alliance with
us.
CURRENT PARTICIPANT COUNTRIES IN THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
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, United Kingdom.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, as I said before, I hope we can get
agreement. I know there are one, or maybe more, Senators on the other
side of the aisle who have found a concern with this. I ask that while
this is somewhat unusual in the way we put forth this legislation, it
is vitally important for us to send a very strong and positive signal
to one of our strongest allies in the world that we stand with them and
accept them as one of our closest and dearest allies, and we will treat
them accordingly, with respect to the visitation of Polish people who
visit relatives and friends in the United States.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from
Oklahoma is to be recognized for 25 minutes.
The Senator from West Virginia is recognized.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, if the Senator from Oklahoma comes, I will
yield the floor quickly to him. At this moment, under the current
circumstances, I had sought to be recognized and I do so for the
purpose of speaking for not more than 12 minutes. I ask unanimous
consent that I may be recognized for no more than 12 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the Senator is recognized.
____________________