Speech #900202104

The fact is that the United States needs a greater influx of tourism to help ease our balanceofpayments situation. President Johnson is keenly aware of this problem. And last week he submitted to Congress a proposal to modernize and streamline visa requirements for visitor entry into the United States. I urge my colleagues to act promptly and positively on this important matter. As the President noted: Under the present system of imposing stringent requirements. we appear to a foreign visitor to be greeting him grudgingly rather than graciously. There is simply no good reason why we cannot cut down on the redtape and complex procedures that discourage the very visitors we seek to encourage. Under the new proposal. recommended by the Presidents special IndustryGovernment Commission on Travel. regulations would exempt visitors to the United States for 90 days or less from visa requirements. This would be done on the basis of reciprocity. and foreign nationals who have been convicted of a serious crime will continue to be barred. and entering aliens will continue to be examined by the Immigration Service. Thus. the national security will be protected. And persons entering will be required to have a valid passport. a nonrefundable roundtrip ticket. and will not be allowed to alter their status as visitors.