CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E 2101
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November 2, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E 2101 Jerrold Nadler, Barbara Cubin, David side during a thunderstorm because there is fed up with waiting and are going instead to E. Skaggs, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Matt no shelter from the elements available. I was CanadaÐwhich has a waiver policy toward Salmon, Jennifer Dunn, Bennie G. personally ashamed, as I suspect many of col- KoreaÐEurope or Australia. We stand to Thompson, Barbara B. Kennelly, John Conyers, Jr., Charles E. Schumer, leagues would have been by these tales of in- loose millions of dollars and thousands of Sonny Bono, Constance A. Morella, humane treatment. American jobs because of our broken visa James L. Oberstar, John M. Spratt, Jr., These are but two examples of the growing system. Alcee L. Hastings, Michael Bilirakis, frustration and disappointment many South As the Tourism Promotion Conference con- Peter G. Torkildsen, Blanche Lambert Koreans are vocalizing, which has resulted in venes this week in Washington, I understand Lincoln, Bob Filner, Rick Lazio, Wayne a growing sentiment of discontent with the that the issue of reforming the United States T. Gilchrest, Gene Green, Victor O. United States. They rightly point out that this visa issuance process for South Korea will be Frazer, Jim Ramstad, Karen L. is no way for friends to treat friends. If we are raised and discussed. I welcome the input of Thurman, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Gil to retain our place in the hearts of the Korean the United States tourism industry and look Gutknecht, Doug Bereuter, Wayne Al- lard, Bill K. Brewster, Gerald Kleczka, people we must do something to reverse this forward to examining their recommendations Jim Bunn, Eliot Engel, Anna Eshoo, trend. In that regard, I feel it is important that as to how we can best achieve a larger place Jon D. Fox, Harold L. Volkmer, Ken we begin to treat the South Korean people in the tourism market, especially with respect Calvert, Jerry Lewis.1 with more respect by extending to them our to South Korea. 1 Signed letter after delivery to confereee. trust and support through their inclusion in the In the interim, however, I believe that in an f VWPP. effort to ward off a serious decline in South My second reason for introducing this legis- Korean support for United States policy while LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT THE lation is pure economics. Currently, South increasing the ability of South Koreans to visit UNITED STATES' VALUABLE Korea is the sixth largest trading partner with the United States, this legislation should be ALLYÐSOUTH KOREA the United States. This has resulted in total seriously considered as a solution to this em- U.S. exports equaling over $14 billion with a barrassing situation. In fact, I believe that if we HON. JAY KIM cumulative direct investment of over $1 billion reduce the bureaucratic barriers to the South OF CALIFORNIA by United States companies in South Korea. Korean people, we will achieve greater compli- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES This ever growing market has allowed for a ance with our own immigration laws and pro- Thursday, November 2, 1995 continued growth in personal incomes for the mote good relations with a valuable ally. South Korean people. The net result has been Therefore, I call upon all of my colleagues to Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask all an increased demand by Korean tourists to support this 1 year, trial basis legislation which of my colleagues to support my efforts to fur- visit the United States. is so important to the South Korean people ther enhance and solidify our commitment to According the Travel and Tourism Adminis- and to our foreign policy in Asia. After all, 25 one of the United States' most valuable al- tration, South Korean arrivals are expected to countries are already in the visa waiver pro- liesÐSouth Korea. Today I have introduced reach over 600,000 in 1995, up an astonishing gram. legislation which will have a positive economic 900 percent from the 1987 levels. Of the over f impact in the United StatesÐespecially in the 400,000 South Korean travelers who came to tourism industry. My legislation calls upon the the United States in 1993, 35 percent came ISRAEL COULD GAIN GROUND BY inclusion of South Korea in the Visa Waiver for vacations or holidays with another 35 per- EXITING SOUTH LEBANON Pilot Program [VWPP]. Specifically, it waives cent coming to visit friends or relatives. Most the requirements of section 217 of the Immi- of such travel has been to California, New HON. NICK J. RAHALL II gration and Nationality Act, allowing South York, Hawaii, Arizona, and Florida. With an OF WEST VIRGINIA Korea to be included in the VWPP for a 1-year estimated $1 billion in potential tourism dollars IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES trial basis after which the Secretary of State to spend, it is easy to see the importance of and Attorney General will have the authority to promoting easier access to the U.S. tourist Thursday, November 2, 1995 determine the continued participation of South market which has experienced considerable Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I bring to the at- Korea in this program. losses over the past few years. Simply put, tention of my colleagues in the House an op- My reasons for introducing this legislation more Korean tourists equals more business ed piece which appeared in the October 23 are twofold: First, the current situation at the and jobs in the United States. edition of the Christian Science Monitor written U.S. Embassy's Consular Affairs office in My home State of California is a perfect ex- by Frederic C. Hof, a former U.S. Army officer Seoul is embarrassing and unacceptable. This ample of how important tourism is to the Unit- and State Department official and currently a problem stems from two counter-acting ed States. According to the California Division partner in Armitage Associates. Mr. Hof illus- forcesÐthe lack of sufficient space and per- of Tourism, California's travel and tourism in- trated, in my opinion, a solution for Israeli sonnel in the Consular's Office and the ever dustry generates $55.7 billion annually, which withdrawal from southern Lebanon, thereby increasing number of South Korean's request is 6.5 percent of the gross State product. preventing further attacks on Israeli soldiers by of nonimmigrant, visitor visas. Overall, California would rank eighth in terms Hizbullah which so poison the Israeli-Syrian Currently, the Consular's Affairs office in of international tourism as a separate nation, peace negotiations. Seoul is under-staffed, over-worked and un- ahead of Switzerland, Singapore, Mexico, Mr. Speaker, I traveled to Lebanon in Au- able to meet the demands of reviewing over Canada, and Japan. gust, including southern Lebanon, the home of 2,000 visa applications per day. This unfortu- On a more national front, travel and tourism my grandfathers. After discussions with peo- nate situation has resulted in extremely long is the third largest employer in the Nation after ple, political, religious, educational, and mili- lines of potential tourists and businessmen to business and health services. In fact, travel tary leaders most importantly Gen. Emile the United States who are growing more and exceeds the combined payrolls of the U.S. Lahoud the very capable commander-in-chief more impatient, annoyed and disheartened steel and motor vehicles manufacturing indus- of the Lebanon Army, there is no doubt what- with the way they are being treated. While tries. Between 1983 and 1993, travel-related soever that given the political go-ahead the these long lines may not be something new employment and payroll has steadily in- Lebanon Army can control every inch of Leba- for consular affairs offices throughout the creasedÐwith payrolls nearly doubling and the nese territory and prevent cross-border attacks world, the inhumane treatment of the people in number of jobs rising 38 percent. These kinds upon Israel. This is confirmed by our U.S. Em- those lines is. of numbers only further the argument that bassy. During a recent trip to South Korea, I per- travel and tourism will double in size over the Mr. Hof's op-ed follows: sonally witnessed the most shameful treat- next decade, resulting in more job opportuni- [From the Christian Science Monitor, Oct. ment of human beings. One potential tourist, ties for people throughout the world. The Unit- 23, 1995] in search of a visa as part of his honeymoon ed States must work to ensure its place in the ISRAEL COULD GAIN GROUND BY EXITING plans, told me that he had been waiting in line travel and tourism industry by opening our SOUTH LEBANON for 3 days. Three days. He had come all the doors to an economy which has been growing (By Frederic C. Hof) way from the southern end of South Korea, continuously over the past decadeÐSouth The recent deaths of Israeli soldiers patrol- since the United States does not have any Korea. America has always been the first ling the ``security zone'' in southern Leb- other consular affairs offices in Korea. Another choice of destination for almost all Koreans. anon grimly illustrate an inescapable fact: woman, who appeared to be in her thirties, ex- However, under the current situation of long that Israel's continued occupation of Leba- plained her frustration at having to stand out- lines and endless delays, many Koreans are nese territory is a liability both for Israel E 2102 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks November 2, 1995 and for the Middle Eastern peace process. The government of Israel could consider These two letters, which span four genera- The time is right for Israel's leaders to take declaring unilaterally its intention to with- tions, are testimony to the endurance of Raoul a fresh look at how best to secure their draw all of its forces from Lebanese territory Wallenberg's legacy and lessons.