[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 36--COMMEMORATING THE BICENTENNIAL OF 
                      TUNISIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS

  Mr. BREAUX submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                            S. Con. Res. 36

       Whereas August 28, 1997, will mark the 200th anniversary of 
     the first Tunisian-American Treaty and the opening of 
     diplomatic relations between Tunisia and the United States;
       Whereas Tunisia guaranteed to the young American Republic 
     freedom of navigation in Tunisia's territorial waters and 
     freedom of trade with Tunisian citizens;
       Whereas Tunisia supported the Allies politically and 
     militarily during World War II and has become the final 
     resting place of thousands of American soldiers fallen in 
     battle;
       Whereas the United States was the first great power to 
     recognize Tunisia's independence from France in 1956;
       Whereas Tunisia was a steady and reliable ally of the 
     United States during the darkest days of the Cold War, 
     providing naval facilities to the United States Sixth Fleet 
     and supporting the United States at the United Nations and 
     other international bodies;
       Whereas Tunisia after independence received more aid from 
     the United States than from any other donor country in the 
     form of governmental loans and technical assistance;
       Whereas Tunisia efficiently utilized American assistance 
     and its own resources to drastically improve social 
     conditions, further economic development, and establish an 
     open market economy and a tolerant society based on the 
     principles of democracy, social peace, and justice;
       Whereas Tunisia has consistently supported a peaceful 
     resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and United States 
     efforts to bring peace to the Middle East; and
       Whereas Tunisia and the United States have always shared 
     mutual interests in regional security and have built a close 
     partnership in that regard; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress hereby acknowledges with 
     gratitude and appreciation the bicentennial of the Tunisian-
     American Treaty of 1797 and expresses to the people of 
     Tunisia its hopes and wishes for continued friendship and 
     amity between our two great nations.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this concurrent resolution to the President with the 
     request that he further transmit a copy to the Government of 
     Tunisia.

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