“Well, we're working with the President (Kwaśniewski) on this very delicate issue. And there is the opportunity for some pre-screening to make sure that Polish citizens headed to the United States are not inconvenienced. We've got a study group we're going to put together to make sure that we come up with rational policy. But let me make sure everybody understands: the Congress decides the visa policy. That's what the Congress decides. And our study group will work with the Polish authorities in a way that makes it clear what the realities are here in the United States and makes it clear what the realities are on the ground in Poland.”

A New Polish Citizen

President Aleksander Kwaśniewski granted Cantor Joseph Malovany Polish Citizenship during a solemn ceremony at the Blair House. Joseph Malovany has served as the Cantor of New York’s prestigous Fifth Avenue Synagogue since 1973. Born in Tel Aviv he served as Cantor in many synagogues in Israel, South Africa and Great Britain. His powerful voice has been received with acclaim in opera houses, concerts halls and synagogues across the world. He is a frequent guest to Poland, where his father was from. Cantor Malovany, moved to tears, expresed his gratitude that he had become a Polish citizen.