Speech #1050119766

Florida. informed me that they have been approached by individuals who have laced difficulty enloring the United States when a loved one has passed away. Currently. Greek cilizens have to go to one of Iwo U.S. consulates in Greece to initiate the application process to obtain a travel visa. The simple logistics of travel are. in many cases. prohibitive to Greek citizens seeking temporary entry Into the United Slates. The entire process can often take two weeks or more and requires considerable cost and ffort. I am dismayed that. in some arguments against this amendment. it has boon insinuated that terrorism and domestic crime will In. crease in te United States If Greece and Portugal are permitted 1o participate in this program. It is important to note thai Greece and Portugal are the only member nations of the European Union to be excluded fromn the program and whose citizens must obtain a visa to enter the United States Ironically. Americans do not need a visa 1o enter Greece. Some of my colleagues believe that allowing Greece to participate In this program would lead to Increased Illegal Immigration. because Individuals would overstay their visas. In fact. the number of immigrants Irom Greece and Portugal who settle in ie Untied Stales eacih year Is not significantly higher than Itle number of Americans who establish residence in these countries. I want to make one final point. It is my understanding that Chairman SMITH opposes this amendmenl because he believes the two percent relusal rale is a fair and equitable level. In my judgment. we are quibbling aboul numbers. and very small numbers at that. The other body passed legislation which raises the refusal rate threshold to three percent It unanimously approved an amendment to allow Greece and Porlugal to participale in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. We should do Ihe sale. Tonight. I am conducting a special order in this chamber to commemorate the 1771h Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. Today marks the day when Greece began restoring its democratic hetage after nearly four centuries of foreign oppression. I can tell you personally. as the son of Greek Immigrants. that the Greeks share a love of the Uniled Slates which may be unparalleled abroad. Greece and the United States share a common bond: an Intense desire for freedom and democracy. It was.