Washington, DC (05/28/2015) — “I will do everything in my power” and explore every legislative avenue to include Poland in the Visa Waiver Program, declared Senator John McCain before Poland’s Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf and hundreds of guests who had gathered to celebrate Polish Constitution Day at the Ambassador’s Residence.
Senator John McCain explained that a majority of Congress supports Poland’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program, and that Poland’s membership in the program is long overdue. “The people of Poland should have the same right to travel to the United States as other Europeans currently enjoy. This visa issue is a barrier between two great friends and allies” stressed the Senator, adding that he will do all in his power to remove this obstacle.
The Senior Senator from Arizona and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee was the guest of honor during celebrations marking the 224th anniversary of the signing of Poland’s constitution, which was the oldest in Europe and the second oldest in the world following the United States.
During the celebrations, Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf presented “longtime friend of Poland” Senator John McCain with the inauguralWhite Eagle Award in the category of politics for outstanding efforts to promote the development and cooperation between the Republic of Poland and the United States.
This week when Congress is on recess and politicians will be traveling to their home districts, the newly constituted VWP4Poland Action Group will be holding an Action Week during which Polish-Americans will meet and engage with their representatives to explain why Poland should be part of the Visa Waiver Program, and why Poles – just like other fellow Europeans – should enjoy visa free travel to the U.S.