[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF TUNISIA'S INDEPENDENCE

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                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the celebration of 
Tunisian Independence Day, a historical occasion that occurred forty-
seven years ago today when the people of Tunisia officially declared 
independence.
  Since that time, the people of Tunisia have begun building the 
foundation for a great democracy, a process that continues to move 
forward. The almost ten million citizens of Tunisia now live in a 
country that shares many of the democratic values that make our own 
nation great, including civil rights, a more open political process and 
a thriving culture that highlights the history of the Tunisian people.
  The quality of life for the Tunisian people has been greatly improved 
in recent decades, largely due to trade agreements and economic 
development in the nation's urban areas and elsewhere. There are great 
economic strides still to be made, but much progress has been made in a 
relatively short period of time, and that progress will continue.
  Tunisia has been an important friend of the United States throughout 
history, including serving as an important ally in the ongoing war on 
terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that our relationship will 
continue to strengthen as Tunisia continues building onto its 
democratic foundation.

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