Speech #1030232386

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of the conference report on H.R. 783. the Nationality and Naturalization Amendments of 1994. On September 20. 1994. the House gave its overwhelming support to H.R. 783. legislation to reauthorize and reform the Visa Waiver Pilot Program while implementing much needed reforms. The Visa Waiver Program enables tourists and business travelers from specified countries to come to the United States without first having to obtain a nonimmigrant visa. Current eligibility standards are overly restrictive and hinge largely on nonimmigrant visa refusal ratesa standard which fails to operate in the best interest of the United States or of the countries which are denied participation. The shortcorlings of the eligibility criteria came to my attention in my role as chairman of the Friends of Ireland Committee. The fact that Ireland has been excluded from participation best illustrates the current programs shortcomings. Ireland Is one of only three Western European countries excluded from the Visa Waiver Program. even though Ireland has demonstrated exemplary overstay rates and steadily declining refusal rates during the last 3 years. Additionally. while Irish citizens are denied inclusion. citizens from Northern Ireland are able to fully participate in the pilot program. H.R. 783 will Incorporate the overstay rate as a factor in determining eligibility for probationary status In the Visa Waiver Program. The overstay rate is a critical element because It demonstrates how many nationals of a particular country actually violated the terms of their stay In the United States. I would like to commend Chairman ROM MAZZOLI and BILL MCCOLLUM. the distinguished ranking member of the subcommittee. for their leadership on this issue and for incorporating this reform into H.R. 783. It is a commonsense approach which enjoys broad bipartisan support. The Visa Waiver Pilot Program has proven its worth over the years by generating good will toward many of our neighbors overseas and generating tourist dollars for our economy. This legislation has been designated as a high priority by the Irish Government and the Friends of Ireland Committee. Foreign tourism brought $74 billion into the U.S. economy last year and provided nearly 900.000 jobs for American workers.