Senators Bieda, Rocca, Johnson, Kowall and Anderson offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 73.

            A resolution to memorialize the President and the United States Congress to support the Republic of Poland and their admittance to the Visa Waiver Program.

            Whereas, Throughout history, Poland has played an essential role in the settlement and protection of the United States in its pursuit of freedom; and

            Whereas, With over 10 million Polish Americans living within the United States, it is of the utmost importance that Poland be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program; and

            Whereas, In recent years, many Polish soldiers have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq in pursuance of a more free world; and

            Whereas, Today, with the Polish economy thriving, not only will admittance to the Visa Waiver Program be beneficial to Poland and its citizens, but it will also benefit the United States by bringing more capital and jobs to the economy; and

            Whereas, While Poland’s visa denial rate hovers outside of the 3 percent threshold, this rate has been criticized by organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and the Governmental Accountability Office as ineffective and inaccurate; and

            Whereas, With the admission to the Visa Waiver Program, the outcome of the admittance will benefit both the United States and the Republic of Poland; now, therefore, be it 

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the President and the United States Congress to support the Republic of Poland and their admittance to the Visa Waiver Program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of State, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Polish American Leadership Political Action Committee.