[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON THE OCCASION OF HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI OF 
 THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA VISITING WASHINGTON, DC, AT THE INVITATION OF 
                        PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my most heartfelt 
welcome to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of Tunisia, on 
his visit to the U.S. on February 18, 2004. President Ben Ali has been 
an unstinting friend and ally in the war on terror. Thereby, he has 
maintained and nurtured an alliance between the U.S. and Tunisia that 
has existed for over two centuries, dating back to the Treaty of Peace 
of 1797.
  It has been the hallmark of the Honorable Ben Ali's tenure as 
President of Tunisia, to institute meaningful and lasting reforms in 
several spheres. President Ben Ali has taken the lead role in the 
region as a consistent and ardent supporter of women's rights. His 
reform endeavors carry over into the area of economic modernization 
under the auspices of ambitious educational reform and investment in 
technology and infrastructure. The great people of West Virginia can 
certainly appreciate these advancements as they themselves continue to 
spearhead similar ventures through top-notch technology training 
institutes and initiatives.
  Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons, I am honored to welcome His 
Excellency President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on his visit to the United 
States in order to meet with President Bush.

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