February 3, 2009

Congressional Reception to Celebrate the Expansion of US Visa Waiver Program

 

The Embassies of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and South Korea organized a reception in the US Congress to celebrate the expansion of the US Visa Waiver Program.

Senator Voinovich with the ambassadors

Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and Congressman Robert Wexler (D- Florida),  the main advocates of the Visa Waiver reform on the Hill, welcomed the ambassadors of the "new" visa-waiver countries. US adminsitration officials, the Washington think tank community, diplomats, representatives of the ethnic communities attanded the event.

Other supporters of the legislative intitiative were present at the reception as well: Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Florida), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebraska), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) made  remarks at the event.

Speech by Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart

 

Mr. Janos Horvath, member of the Hungarian Parliament makes remarks

 

Speech by Congressman Robert Wexler