National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation Supports New Visa Waiver Reform Bill in the US Congress that will include Croatia in program for first time

February 9, 2012- Washington, DC: The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCACF) has announced its full support for reform of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which would include Croatia's participation.

In a recent letter to the US Senate Judiciary Committee, NFCACF President Bill Vergot cited full support for S. 2046 as another "crucial milestone for the growing relationship between our two countries. The 'Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act of 2012¹ would enable Croatia to soon join the VWP. While Croatia is not requiring visas for Americans, the US requires Croatians to have visas when traveling to America. Croatia is one of America's most supportive allies in NATO and is fighting alongside the United States in Afghanistan. It is time to afford the privilege to Croatia for membership in this helpful program that will enhance travel for
Croatian citizens to the United States."

Mr. Vergot has also requested that all Croatian Americans, who support the new VWP reform legislation that permits Croatia's membership in this important US program, soon call their Members of Congress to express their strong personal interest in seeing this legislation move forward during the current session of Congress. Croatian Americans can easily identify their Congress Members, both House and Senate, and then call 202-225-3121 to speak directly to their Members' offices in Washington. The new House bill is numbered as H.R. 3855, and the new Senate bill is numbered S. 2046. Callers should identify themselves as constituents, cite the two newly introduced bills, and ask their Members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill while effectively expressing their support for consideration of this legislation as soon as possible. Follow-up letters to these Congressional representatives is, of course, also extremely helpful in developing support
for early passage of the two new bills in the House and Senate.

The NFCA Cultural Foundation is the national umbrella organization of
Croatian American groups that collectively represents approximately 130,000 members. For recent newsletters, important NFCACF membership application and chapter information, and other Croatian American news visit www.nfcacf.org.