SHIMKUS COSPONSORS POLISH VISA
WAIVER BILLS
Washington, DC.....Congressman
John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) is cosponsoring two bills that would
ease the issuance of visas to Poles visiting the United States.
Shimkus is cosponsor
of both Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's bill (HR 634) and Congresswoman
Nancy Johnson's bill (HR 635).
"Both bills
would add Poland to the list of countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program," Shimkus
said: "I believe it is important that the United States recognize the importance
of our close ties to Poland".
"The Polish government
has been very supportive of our anti-terrorism policies, and they are growing
within both the European and international community," he added.
On May 1, 2004,
Poland gained membership in the European Union, which included uniform border
crossings. In addition, last September the United States Department of Homeland
Security and the Polish Ministry of the Interior agreed to provide pre-screening
of passengers leaving Poland on commercial flights to the United States.
On February 28,
2005, Shimkus met at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago with Illinois
Polish leaders on this and other issues.
"The Polish-American
community realizes the importance of U.S. support for Poland, including
visas and increasing economic support," Shimkus noted.
Shimkus has also
received a letter of support from the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland
which stated, "I am really convinced that the reintroducing of the bipartisan bill HR 635
and your co-sponsorship of the HR 634 strengthen the possibility of future success,
which is visa-free movement of people between two allied nations."
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