[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2844 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]
Calendar No. 715
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2844
To designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program
established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 23, 2004
Mr. Santorum (for himself and Ms. Mikulski) introduced the following
bill; which was read the first time
September 24, 2004
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program
established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Since the founding of the United States, Poland has
proven its steadfast dedication to the causes of freedom and
friendship with the United States, exemplified by the brave
actions of Polish patriots such as Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz
Kosciuszko during the American Revolution.
(2) Polish history provides pioneering examples of
constitutional democracy and religious tolerance.
(3) The United States is home to nearly 9,000,000 people of
Polish ancestry.
(4) Polish immigrants have contributed greatly to the
success of industry and agriculture in the United States.
(5) Since the demise of communism, Poland has become a
stable, democratic nation.
(6) Poland has adopted economic policies that promote free
markets and rapid economic growth.
(7) On March 12, 1999, Poland demonstrated its commitment
to global security by becoming a member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization.
(8) On May 1, 2004, Poland became a member state of the
European Union.
(9) Poland was a staunch ally to the United States during
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(10) Poland has committed 2,300 soldiers to help with
ongoing peacekeeping efforts in Iraq.
(11) The Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of
State administer the visa waiver program, which allows citizens
from 27 countries, including France and Germany, to visit the
United States as tourists without visas.
(12) On April 15, 1991, Poland unilaterally repealed the
visa requirement for United States citizens traveling to Poland
for 90 days or less.
(13) More than 100,000 Polish citizens visit the United
States each year.
SEC. 2. RENDERING POLAND VISA WAIVER PROGRAM COUNTRY.
Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, and
notwithstanding section 217(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1187(c)), Poland shall be deemed a designated program country
for purposes of the visa waiver program established under section 217
of such Act.
Calendar No. 715
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2844
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program
established under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 24, 2004
Read the second time and placed on the calendar