[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1277-S1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SANTORUM (for himself and Ms. Mikulski):
  S. 348. A bill to designate Poland as a program country under the 
visa waiver program established under section 217 of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.
  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce, along with 
Senator Mikulski, a bill that would designate Poland as a program 
country under the Visa Waiver Program under section 217 of the 
Immigration Nationality Act.
  As we celebrate an historic period with the first Iraqi elections in 
over fifty years, it is important to appreciate the sacrifices our 
allies have made to make such an event possible. America must continue 
to solidify the bond with its allies by assisting their governments and 
citizens when possible. This legislation brings us closer to a country 
that has been by our side through a time of war and continues to be a 
partner in the global freedom.
  Since the founding of the United States, Poland has proven its 
steadfast dedication to the causes of freedom and friendship with the 
United States. This has been exemplified by the brave actions of Polish 
patriots such as Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz Kosciuszco during the 
American Revolution. Polish history provides pioneering examples of 
democracy and religious tolerance, and this is reflected in their 
constitution that states, ``Freedom of faith and religion shall be 
ensured to everyone.''
  Poland's revolt from the Soviet Union's communist stranglehold is a 
more recent example of their dedication to freedom. They are a prime 
example of Ronald Reagan's vision to end the Cold War. Last year, when 
I met Lech Walesa, the tenacious leader of Poland's Solidarity movement 
and former President of Poland, I was reminded of the profound struggle 
the country endured to bring democracy to their people.
  And their commitment to preserving freedom and global security 
continues today. On March 12, 1999, Poland became a member of the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization. This was followed by admission into the 
European Union on May 1, 2004. Poland was a staunch ally to the United 
States in Operation Iraqi Freedom and has committed 2,300 troops to 
help with the ongoing peace efforts in Iraq.
  In addition to Poland's efforts as a global ally, its people have 
contributed greatly within our borders. Nearly nine million people of 
Polish ancestry live in the United States. Polish immigrants have 
played an integral role in the success of industry and agriculture in 
Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.
  Currently, the United States administers the Visa Waiver Program to 
citizens of twenty-seven countries. The program allows citizens from 
Visa Waiver Program countries to visit the United States as tourists, 
and Poland has earned the right to participate. I believe Poland 
deserves to be the twenty-eighth country to participate in the program. 
The 100,000 Polish citizens who visit the United States annually must 
currently pay a $100 fee to apply for a visa. Many of these applicants 
are visiting family, often for wedding celebrations or funerals. In an 
expression of good faith, in 1991 the Polish government unilaterally 
repealed the visa requirement for U.S. citizens traveling to Poland for 
less than 90 days.
  I am aware of past concerns about Polish visa refusal rates, but a 
closer look shows that refusal rates can be an inaccurate measure 
because they are based on decisions made by a very short interview 
process rather than the actual behavior of non-immigrants. Often, 
refusal rates do not reflect the propensity of nationals from that 
country to overstay their visas. More importantly, 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

[[Page S1278]]

Program. Please be assured that I am sensitive to arguments that have 
concerns about our national security at the core. However, our past 
history with Polish citizens visiting the United States does not favor 
this argument.
  For all Polish citizens and Polish Americans, I ask through this 
legislation that Poland be deemed a designated program country for the 
purposes of the Visa Waiver Program. I ask my colleagues for their 
support.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to continue the fight to 
right a wrong in America's visa program. I believe it's time for 
America to extend the Visa Waiver program to Poland. I'm pleased to 
have formed a bipartisan partnership with Senator Santorum to 
reintroduce our bill to get it done.
  Last fall, Senator Santorum and I met with a hero of the Cold War, 
Lech Walesa. When he jumped over the wall of the Gdansk shipyard, he 
took Poland and the whole world with him. He told us that the visa 
issue is a question of honor for Poland. That day, we introduced a bill 
to once again stand in solidarity with the father of Solidarity by 
extending the Visa Waiver program to Poland.
  This morning, I had the honor of hosting Poland's Foreign Minister, 
Professor Adam Rotfeld. We reaffirmed and cemented the close ties 
between the Polish and American peoples. Senator Santorum and I heard 
loud and clear that the visa waiver program remains a high priority for 
Poland.
  My friends, Poland is not some Communist holdover or third-world 
country begging for a handout. The Cold War is over. Poland is a free 
and democratic nation. Poland is a NATO ally and a member of the 
European Union. But America's visa policy still treats Poland as a 
second-class citizen. That is just wrong.
  Poland is a reliable ally, not just by treaty but in deeds. Warsaw 
hosted an international Conference on Combating Terrorism less than two 
months after the September 11 attacks. Poland continues to modernize 
its Armed Forces so they can operate with the Armed Forces of the U.S. 
and other NATO allies, buying American F-16s and Shadow UAVs and 
humvees.
  More importantly, Polish troops have stood side by side with 
America's Armed Forces. Polish ships participated in Desert Shield and 
Desert Storm during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Poland sent troops to Bosnia 
as part of UNPROFOR and IFOR. Poland sent troops as part of the 
international coalition in Afghanistan.
  Polish troops fought alongside American and British and Australian 
troops from day one of the Iraq war. They are there because they want 
to be reliable allies. Because they are ready to stand with us even 
when the mission is risky and unpopular. Today, Poland still commands 
multinational forces in the South Central region of Iraq. Nearly 2,500 
Polish troops are still on the ground in Iraq, sharing the burden and 
the risk and the casualties.
  So why are Singapore and San Marino among the 27 countries in the 
Visa Waiver program, but Poland is not?
  President Kwasniewski raised this issue with President Bush last year 
and again this week. The President has said this is a matter for 
Congress. It's time for us to act.
  The bill Senator Santorum and I are introducing today will add Poland 
to the list of designated countries in the Visa Waiver program. That 
will allow Polish citizens to travel to the U.S. for tourism or 
business for up to sixty days without needing to stand in line to get a 
visa. That means it will be easier for Poles to visit family and 
friends or do business in America. Shouldn't we make it easier for the 
Pulaskis and Kosciuszkos and Marie Curies of today to visit our 
country?
  We know that our borders will be no less secure because of these 
Polish visitors to our country. But we know that our alliance will be 
more secure because of this legislation.
  I urge our colleagues to join us in support of this important bill.
                                 ______