I do not think that it is of sufficient scope for us to relax our efforts to reduce redtape barriers. as well as to take steps to promote tourism to the United States. As an active supporter of the Senate Travel Office bill. I am extremely hopeful that the Congress will act in the near future to set up a promotional program to increase tourism and reduce bureaucratic harassment for those applying for visas under all routine and ordinary circumstances. On Sunday. the New York Times ran a series of news stories on the effect of the State Departments decision to officially stop the use of the long questionnaire. Some of the comments in these articles are extremely encouraging. For example. French applicants for visas now can get a visa in 30 minutes. instead of the 8 to 10 days which it took previously. It now takes only 10 to 20 minutes for British applicants. provided they have the proper identification. Not only has the time required been reduced. but the atmosphere is friendlier and more hospitable. Mr. President. although conditions are improved in many of the countries surveyed by the New York Times. in others there has been little. if any. change. These are the trouble spots in our visa system. and. interestingly enough. they are also the countries which are often discriminated against as a result of our immigration policies. There is plenty of room for further improvement. Mr.
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