AJR95: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4797/1

SRM:lmk:jf

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 95

March 14, 2006 - Introduced by Representatives Petrowski and Suder, cosponsored by Senator Zien. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR95,1,3 Relating to: urging the President and the Congress of the United States to make the Republic of Poland eligible for the United States Department of State's Visa Waiver Program.

AJR95,1,5 Whereas, the Republic of Poland is a free, democratic, and independent nation; and

AJR95,1,8 Whereas, in 1999, the United States and the Republic of Poland became formal allies when Poland was granted membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and

AJR95,1,10 Whereas, the Republic of Poland has proven to be an indispensable ally in the global campaign against terrorism; and

AJR95,1,13 Whereas, the Republic of Poland has actively participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Iraqi reconstruction, shedding blood along with American soldiers; and

AJR95,1,15 Whereas, the President of the United States and other high ranking officials have described Poland as "one of our closest friends"; and

AJR95,2,2 Whereas, on April 15, 1991, the Republic of Poland unilaterally repealed the visa obligation to United States citizens traveling to Poland; and

AJR95,2,6 Whereas, the United States Department of State's Visa Waiver Program currently allows approximately 23 million citizens from 27 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having first to obtain visas for entry; and

AJR95,2,12 Whereas, the countries that currently participate in the United States Department of State's Visa Waiver Program include Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, German, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; and

AJR95,2,14 Whereas, it is appropriate that the Republic of Poland be made eligible for the United States Department of State's Visa Waiver Program; now, therefore, be it

AJR95,2,18 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature respectfully urge the President of the United States and the Congress of the United States to make the Republic of Poland eligible for the United States Department of State's Visa Waiver Program and, be it further

AJR95,2,23 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to the President of the United States, the presiding officers of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, all members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, and to Dr. Janusz Reiter, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States.

AJR95,2,24 (End)