WILLIAM (VASILIOS) KOTSAKIS AUGUST 9, 1949.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. WALTER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 787] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (S. 787) for the relief of William (Vasilios) Kotsakis, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of the bill is to provide for the admission into the United States for permanent residence of a 7-year-old war orphan, native and citizen of Greece, whose parents were killed during World War II. The beneficiary is a nephew by adoption of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Canelis, citizens of the United States and residents of Billings, Mont. GENERAL INFORMATION The pertinent facts in this case are set forth in a letter from the Assistant to the Attorney General, dated June 6, 1949, to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which letter reads as follows: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Hon. PAT MCCARRAN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR: This is in response to your request for the views of the Department of Justice relative to the bill (S. 787) for the relief of William (Vasilios) Kotsakis. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to cause an immigration visa to be issued to William (Vasilios) Kotsakis of Athens, Greece, a war orphan and nephew by adoption of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Canelis, of Billings, Mont., permitting his immediate entry into the United States for permanent residence. It would also direct the Secretary to instruct the quota-control officer to deduct one number from the first available immigration quota for nationals of Greece. It appears from the records of the immigration and naturalization files of this Department that the beneficiary of this bill is a 7-year-old war orphan, native and citizen of Greece, who was adopted about 4 years ago by Sotirios Kotsakis who resides in Athens, Greece. The adoptive father has cancer and is so seriously ill he can no longer adequately care for the boy. It is stated the child's parents were killed during World War II and that he has no one in Greece to look after him except the adoptive father. Mrs. Nick Canelis, sister of Mr. Kotsakis, and her husband Nick Canelis, United States citizens, residing in Billings, Mont., have expressed their desire to bring their adopted nephew to the United States in order that they may adopt and educate him. The couple stated that they have sent large sums of money to the brother in Greece for his use in looking after the boy. The records disclose that Mr. Canelis was formerly manager of the Grand Cafe in Billings, Mont., but is now retired. He and his wife own their home which they claim is valued at approximately $25,000. They have personal property valued at about $15,500. Both Mr. and Mrs. Canelis have a good reputation in their community and friends believe they would furnish a good home for anyone whom they might decide to adopt. Whether under the circumstances in this case the immigration laws should be waived presents a question of legislative policy concerning which the Department of Justice prefers not to make any recommendation. If the committee is favorably disposed toward its enactment, it is recommended that, for the purpose of clarification, the bill be amended as follows: "That notwithstanding the quota limitations now provided by law, a quota immigration visa may be issued to William (Vasilios) Kotsakis, a Greek national. residing in Athens, Greece (a war orphan, and nephew by adoption of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Canelis, of Billings, Mont.), upon application therefor, provided he is otherwise admissible to the United States under the immigration laws. "SEC. 2. Upon the issuance of a visa to William (Vasilios) Kotsakis, the Secre tary of State shall instruct the proper quota-control officer to deduct one number from the nonpreference category of the first available immigration quota for nationals of Greece." Yours sincerely. PEYTON FORD, The language of the bill differs from the language suggested in the above-quoted letter. It achieves the purpose of this legislation in facilitating the admission of the minor child but it avoids the issuance of a visa by legislative enactment. Having considered the facts in this case, the committee is of the opinion that the bill, H. R. 787, should be enacted. O 1st Session No. 1219 ROMAN SZYMANSKI AND ANASTOSIA SZYMANSKI AUGUST 9, 1949.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. WALTER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 1026] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (S. 1026) for the relief of Roman Szymanski and Anastosia Szymanski, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of the bill is to record the lawful admission for rpermanent residence of Roman Szymanski, and his wife, Anastosia, as of December 22, 1947, the date of their last entry into the United States. The bill further provides for the appropriate quota deductions. GENERAL INFORMATION The pertinent facts in this case are set forth in a letter from the Assistant to the Attorney General, dated May 25, 1949, to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which letter reads as follows: Hon. PAT MCCARRAN, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. MAY 25, 1949. MY DEAR SENATOR: This is in response to your request for the views of the Department of Justice relative to the bill (S. 1026) for the relief of Roman Szymanski and Anastosia Szymanski. The bill would direct the Attorney General, in the administration of the immigration and naturalization laws, to record the lawful admission for permanent residence of Roman Szymanski, and his wife, Anastosia, as of December 22, 1947, the date of their last entry into the United States, upon payment of the required visa fee and head tax. The bill would also direct the Secretary of State to instruct the proper quota-control officer to deduct two numbers from the appropriate quota for the first year such quota is available. The records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service of this Department disclose that Roman Szymanski was born near Uhnow, Poland, on March 4. H. Repts., 81-1, vol. 5- -97 1898, and his wife Anastosia at Koroff, Poland, on February 3, 1906. They were married in 1928 and are now naturalized citizens of Canada, the husband having been naturalized in 1933 and Mrs. Szymanski in 1943. They have two Canadianborn children, Theodore, 19, and Joseph, 16, who are at present attending school. The entire family entered the United States at St. Albans, Vt., on December 22, 1947, when they were admitted as temporary visitors for 6 months. Since that time they have been living at Prospertown, N. J., at the home of Mr. Szymanski's married sister, Mrs. Switlik, who owns a large estate there. The beneficiaries of the bill are supported by Mr. and Mrs. Switlik who leave their estate in the care of the Szymanskis during the winter months which they spend in Florida. Since the aliens have overstayed the temporary period granted and are unlawfully in the United States, warrants of arrest in deportation proceedings have been issued against them. They are unable to adjust their immigration status in this country because the quota for Poland to which they are chargeable is oversubscribed and a visa is not readily obtainable. The records fails to disclose sufficient reason to justify granting a preference to them over other persons who are chargeable to the quota for Poland. Accordingly, this Department is unable to recommend enactment of the bill. Yours sincerely, PEYTON FORD, Senator McCarran, the author of the bill, submitted to the committee the below quoted correspondence relating to the bill: Hon. PAT MCCARRAN, DORCHESTER HOUSE, Washington 9, D. C., February 15, 1949. Chairman, Judiciary Committee, United States Senate, Mr. and Mrs. Symanski, naturalized Canadian citizens of more than 20 years' standing, entered the United States on visitors' visas, December 1947, for a stay at the home of the sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Switlik, New Egypt, N. J. Mr. Switlik is president of the internationally known Switlik Parachute Co., Trenton, N. J., and the leading supplier of parachutes to our armed forces both in World War II and today. Mr. and Mrs. Szymanski have private means and are self-supporting. Mr. Seymanski is not engaged in any current activities. If necessary, his financial independence can be verified by his brother-in-law, Mr. Switlik, president of Switlik Parachute Co. Both Mr. and Mrs. Szymanski are devoted friends of the United States. Their desire to remain here, and their welcome at the New Egypt residence, are evidence. I can assure you that not only have they never been engaged in anything remotely resembling any subversive activities either in Canada or here, but that, on the contrary, I personally hope that if Mr. Szymanski and his wife are permitted the hospitality of the United States we may have the benefit of his talents. He would be an addition to the technicians engaged in national defense. Faithfully yours, THOMAS QUINN BEESLEY. OFFICE OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, Hon. PAT MCCARRAN, United States Senator, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, United States MY DEAR SENATOR: I am writing to express my personal appreciation for your bill, S. 1026, for the relief of Roman and Ânastosia Szymanski, Canadian citizens of long standing, whom I have known for a period of years and who sincerely merit the interest you have taken in their cause. They came first to my attention when I was an Army officer at the beginning of World War II, when their brother-in-law, Mr. Stanley Switlik, president of the Switlik Parachute Co., who were supplying most of the parachutes we were using, mentioned the Szymanskis to me with great pride in Mr. Szymanski's technical skill in parachute manufacture and in the field of airplane fittings. Mr. Switlik even then spoke of his hope that Mr. Szymanski's sons could be educated in technical schools in this country and carry on this work. Scientific advances in American military and aviation techniques have put a premium on finding and developing personnel of the type and qualifications of Mr. Szymanski. Their role in our modern national defense is increasingly important. I am informed that if Mr. Szymanski were assured of residence in the United States, he would immediately be employed as a parachute technician. Your bill would, in effect, be a contribution to a sector of our national defense. The characters, personal qualities, and reputations of Mr. and Mrs. Szymanski are sterling. They have been respected citizens of Canada. They would be worthy Americans. With kindest personal regards, I am, HAROLD F. AMBROSE, Special Assistant to the Postmaster General. SWITLIK PARACHUTE CO., INC., Trenton 7, N. J., June 23, 1949. Re: S. 1026, a bill for the relief of Roman Szymanski and his family. Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, MY DEAR SENATOR MCCARRAN: Your efforts in behalf of the above applicant will be greatly appreciated and it is urged that the bill be passed by the Eightyfirst Congress since the applicant is a person whose presence is highly desirable in this country for the national defense. I have known Roman Szymanski for a period of 20 years last past, and know him to be a person of good morals and character. He and his family have always been held in high repute by the community in which he formerly resided in Montreal, as attested to by the affidavits of character which were filed in the immigration proceedings in Philadelphia. During his stay in this country he has earned the regard and respect of his neighbors and gives every indication of being the type of person this country needs and it is his desire to stay and educate his two sons in this country. Mr. Szymanski, by training, is a technician in aviation, having been employed in that capacity during the war years in Canada. Because of this training and knowledge in this field, he will be employed in this country in the further development of advances in parachutes for which his presence is needed. A technician of his type, it is felt, will add greatly to the national defense program, and accordingly, it is strongly urged that the above bill be passed, thereby permitting this country to derive the benefits of this man's service. Your efforts, as well as those of the Federal Bureau of Immigration, in this matter are greatly appreciated by the writer, and will not be soon forgotten. Very truly yours, STANLEY SWITLIK. J. STANLEY TEUNON, Trenton 8, N. J., June 23, 1949. Re S. 1026, A bill for the relief of Roman Szymanski and his family. Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SENATOR MCCARRAN: Your cooperation in behalf in the above applicant is respectfully requested, particularly since the applicant is a person skilled as a technician in aviation and a person whose skills could be effectively utilized by our country in pursuance of the national defense program. I know that he has a position open to him in the development of parachutes just as soon as it is determined that citizenship shall be granted to him. As a person, I know him to be of good reputation, since his sojourn in this country, easy to get along with, and desirous of giving his talents to this country. America needs men like Mr. Szymanski and it is hoped that you can be instrumental in the successful passage of the above bill in his behalf. Very truly yours, J. S. TEUNON. Having considered all the facts in this case, the committee is of the opinion that the bill, S. 1026, should be enacted. |