BILL NUMBER: AJR 26INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wieckowski JANUARY 25, 2012 Relative to United States' Visa Waiver Program. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AJR 26, as introduced, Wieckowski. United States' Visa Waiver Program: Poland. This measure would call upon the President of the United States to lift the restrictions currently in place that prevent the Republic of Poland from being admitted to the Visa Waiver Program. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, Since 2005, the U.S. Department of State has been conducting discussions with the Republic of Poland so that the nation may be admitted to the United States' Visa Waiver Program. That program allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days with a passport, without having to obtain a visa; and WHEREAS, The Republic of Poland on April 15, 1991, unilaterally granted permission for United States citizens to travel in Poland without a visa; and WHEREAS, The Republic of Poland and the United States in 1999 became formal allies through membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of Poland share historical experience of fighting for freedom, democracy, and universal values; and WHEREAS, The Republic of Poland has a very high ranking in development, human rights, and standard of living, which are all criteria shared by countries eligible for the visa entry program, and due to their country's strong economy, citizens of Poland who have visas do not overstay them; and WHEREAS, No Polish citizen to date has been proven to support, be associated with, or be engaged in, any form of a terrorist activity; and WHEREAS, The Republic of Poland has actively participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Iraqi reconstruction, shedding blood along with American soldiers; and WHEREAS, The President of the United States and other high ranking officials have described Poland as one of America's closest allies in Europe; and WHEREAS, The countries that currently participate in the Visa Waiver Program include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature recognizes the importance of making the Republic of Poland eligible for the Visa Waiver Program; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature calls upon the President of the United States to lift the restrictions currently in place that prevent the Republic of Poland from being admitted to the Visa Waiver Program; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.