IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 78

Recognizing the importance of designating the Republic of Poland as a program country for purposes of the visa waiver program under section 

217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and urging the Secretary 

of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to assist Poland in 

qualifying for such program. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 9, 2005

Mr. EMANUEL (for himself, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. DINGELL, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. 

LIPINSKI, and Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of designating the Republic of 

Poland as a program country for purposes of the visa 

waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration 

and Nationality Act and urging the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to assist Poland 

in qualifying for such program.

Whereas the United States and the Republic of Poland share 

the historical experience of fighting for freedom, democracy, and universal values; 

Whereas the bravest sons of the Polish nation, General Thaddeus Kosciuszko and General Casimir Pulaski among 
2

•HRES 78 IH 

them, fought for the the independence of the United 

States from England; 

Whereas the Republic of Poland is now a free, democratic, 

and independent nation; 

Whereas the Republic of Poland and the United States in 

1999 became formal allies through membership in the 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; 

Whereas no Polish citizen to date has been proven to support, 

be associated with, or be engaged in any form of terrorist 

activity; 

Whereas the Republic of Poland has proven to be an indispensable ally in the global campaign against terrorism; 

Whereas the Republic of Poland actively participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the reconstruction of Iraq, shedding blood along with American soldiers; 

Whereas the President of the United States and other highranking officials of the United States have described Poland as one of America’s closest allies in Europe; 

Whereas on April 15, 1991, the Republic of Poland unilaterally repealed the requirement that United States citizens 

traveling to Poland obtain a visa; and 

Whereas the 27 countries that are designated as program 

countries for purposes of the visa waiver program under 

section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act include 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, and the 

United Kingdom: Now, therefore, be it
3

•HRES 78 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) recognizes the importance of designating 

3 the Republic of Poland as a program country for 

4 purposes of the visa waiver program established 

5 under section 217 of the Immigration and Nation6 ality Act; and 

7 (2) urges the Secretary of Homeland Security 

8 and the Secretary of State to assist Poland in reduc9 ing its nonimmigrant visa refusal rate so that Po10 land may qualify for such designation.

Æ