Celebrating the Visa Waiver Program

2/6/2009 - The American Hungarian Federation Attends Reception Celebrating The Visa Waiver Program... On February 3, the Embassies of Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Malta and South Korea hosted a reception at the Hart Senate Office Building to celebrate the enlargement of the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”). The ambassadors of each country, including Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, greeted the guests.

The participants from the Senate and House included Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Robert Wexler (D-FL), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE).

Dr. Janos Horvath, M.P. from Hungary and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, addressed the gathering, expressing the gratitude of the Hungarian people.  Dr. Horvath is a recipient of AHF's highest award, the Col. Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom.

Frank Koszorus, Jr., represented the American Hungarian Federation at the reception.  The Federation had publicly and privately supported and urged extending the VWP to the citizens of the United States’ new allies, including Hungary, as a critical way of shoring up their friendship toward the United States.

“The Senate and House proponents who spoke at the reception underscored the positive impact the long overdue extension of the VWP has had on promoting good transatlantic relations while bolstering homeland security. It will be important to bring in other qualified countries and ensure that there is no backsliding,” said Mr. Koszorus. “The Federation is proud to have participated in this important debate,” he added.

Among the over 100 guests at the reception were numerous congressional staff members, administration officials and representatives from the diplomatic community, think tanks and other national organizations.

Photos courtesy of the Embassy of Estonia (Andrei Valentinov).

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