Mr. Speaker. many times during the past several years various legislative proposals have been advanced to eliminate unnecessary and cumbersome visa requirements Imposed by our Government which Inhibit foreign visitors from traveling to the United States. but unfortunately. in each instance. these proposals have not been enacted into law. During this year of preparation for the 200th anniversary of the birth of our great Nation. it is imperative that Congress pass and the President sign the Visit U.S.A. Bicentennial Anniversary Act which is designed to provide for the elimination of unnecessary visa requirements and. at the same time guard against the illegal entry of aliens. Over a half century ago. as a World War I security measure. the United States began to require each visitor to obtain a visa from an American consul abroad. The requirements imposed by this prescreening process have been rendered obsolete by a major increase in tourism from abroad. a revolutionary reduction in travel time. and the fact that some 35 other nationsat the urging of the United States after World War IIrequire no visas from American tourists. In 1968. President Lyndon Johnsons IndustryGovernment Special Task Force on Travel stated thatThe present entry procedures for vacation and business visitors to the United States are outmoded.
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