[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE GREECE IN THE VISA WAIVER 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, today I introduce 
legislation to include Greece as a program country in the Visa Waiver 
Program. The Visa Waiver Program permits nationals from certain 
countries who are traveling to the United States for tourism or 
business to stay for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. 
Currently, 27 countries are included in the Visa Waiver Program. To 
participate, countries must meet several criteria including reciprocal 
visa-free travel for U.S. citizens, secure machine-readable biometric 
passports, and a maximum allowable 3 percent refusal rate of U.S. non-
immigrant visitor visa applications.
  Of the original 15 European Union nations, Greece is the only member 
not to belong to the Visa Waiver Program. However, Greece has met the 
current criteria mandated for entry into the Visa Waiver Program, 
including the 3 percent refusal rate. As of January 1, 2007, Greek 
passports issued prior to January 1, 2006, are no longer considered 
valid for travel. Greek nationals are traveling with new, machine-
readable passports that are produced using state-of-the-art biometric 
technology to meet the highest possible security standards and 
specifications.
  Greece is a critical ally of the United States. While I hope that the 
Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security will move 
forward to include Greece in the Visa Waiver Program, I believe that 
the legislation that I am introducing today is an important step in 
making that happen.
  Joining me in introducing this legislation are Representatives Gus M. 
Bilirakis, Zack Space, John Sarbanes, Robert Wexler, Shelley Berkley, 
James McGovern, Diane Watson, Henry Brown, Mario Diaz-Balart, Janice 
Schakowsky, Donald Payne, Frank Pallone, Thaddeus McCotter, Grace 
Napolitano, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jesse Jackson, 
Michael McNulty, Earl Blumenauer, Barbara Lee, William Jefferson, 
Patrick Kennedy, Scott Garrett, William Lacy Clay, Linda Sanchez, 
Lucille Roybal-Allard, Robert Andrews, James Langevin, Joseph Crowley, 
and Anna Eshoo.

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