[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 176 (Monday, December 7, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8439-S8441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 330--CONGRATULATING THE TUNISIAN NATIONAL DIALOGUE 
             QUARTET FOR WINNING THE 2015 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

  Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Perdue) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 330

       Whereas on October 10, 2015, the Norwegian Nobel Committee 
     (referred to in this Resolution as ``the Committee'') awarded 
     the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet (referred to in this 
     Resolution as ``the Quartet'') the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for 
     its work in building on the promise of the 2011 Jasmine 
     Revolution and preventing Tunisia's democratic transition 
     from descending into violence in 2013;
       Whereas the Jasmine Revolution in January 2011 was the 
     spark that led to the Arab Spring protests across the Middle 
     East and North Africa, ultimately leading to the departure of 
     President Zine El Abedine Ben Ali and the end of his 
     authoritarian rule;
       Whereas the Quartet is a coalition of 4 civil society 
     organizations: The Tunisian General Labor Union; The Tunisian 
     Confederation of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts; The 
     Tunisian Human Rights League; and The Tunisian Order of 
     Lawyers;
       Whereas the Quartet offered a path away from violence, 
     political assassinations, and civil unrest by promoting 
     mediation and a peaceful political process led by civil 
     society actors committed to the rule of law and human rights;
       Whereas an elected National Constituent Assembly adopted a 
     new, progressive constitution in early 2014, and Tunisia held 
     peaceful and fair elections in late 2014, formally ending a 
     series of transitional governments;
       Whereas in response to the March 18, 2015 terrorist attack 
     on the Bardo National Museum that killed 21 people, Tunisian 
     citizens and political leaders have reaffirmed their 
     commitment to dialogue, pluralism, and democracy;
       Whereas a terrorist attack on July 26, 2015 on a beach in 
     the town of Sousse, left 38 people, including 30 British 
     nationals, dead, and dealt a blow to tourism in Tunisia, an 
     important industry upon which the Tunisian economy depends;
       Whereas President Barack Obama stated on October 9, 2015, 
     ``With the Quartet's support, Tunisians voted in free 
     elections, forged a new constitution that upholds human 
     rights and equality for all people, including women and 
     minorities, and formed a national unity government, including 
     secular and Islamist parties, showing that democracy and 
     Islam can indeed thrive together.'';
       Whereas Secretary of State John Kerry stated on October 9, 
     2015, ``The Tunisian model of inclusivity and respecting 
     fundamental freedoms of all its citizens is the best answer 
     to the violence and extremist ideologies that have torn apart 
     other countries in the region'';
       Whereas Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi stated on 
     October 9, 2015, that the Nobel Peace Prize signified ``a 
     tribute not only to the Quartet and its organizations but

[[Page S8441]]

     is also a crowning of the principle of consensual solutions 
     adopted by Tunisia'';
       Whereas the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated on October 10, 
     2015, ``The broad-based national dialogue that the Quartet 
     succeeded in establishing countered the spread of violence in 
     Tunisia . . . the prize is intended as an encouragement to 
     the Tunisian people, who despite major challenges have laid 
     the groundwork for a national fraternity which the Committee 
     hopes will serve as an example to be followed by other 
     countries'';
       Whereas Tunisia continues to face serious threats to its 
     security from violent extremist groups operating within 
     Tunisia as well as in neighboring countries;
       Whereas a terrorist attack on November 24, 2015 on 
     Tunisia's Presidential Guard killed 12 people and represents 
     another effort to undermine democracy and stability in 
     Tunisia;
       Whereas Tunisia faces economic challenges, including high 
     inflation and high unemployment, especially among young 
     Tunisians;
       Whereas the United States is committed to continuing a 
     strong economic partnership with Tunisia as it undertakes 
     reforms to transform its economy to meet the aspirations of 
     all of its citizens;
       Whereas the United States and Tunisia have enjoyed friendly 
     relations for more than 200 years;
       Whereas in accordance with the United States-Tunisia 
     Strategic Partnership, both countries are dedicated to 
     working together to promote economic development and business 
     opportunities in Tunisia, education for the advancement of 
     long-term development in Tunisia, and increased security 
     cooperation to address common threats in Tunisia and across 
     the region;
       Whereas in July 2015, President Obama designated Tunisia a 
     Major Non-NATO Ally;
       Whereas Tunisia is a member of the Global Coalition to 
     Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL);
       Whereas at the second United States-Tunisia Strategic 
     Dialogue in November 2015, Secretary Kerry reaffirmed the 
     historic friendship and growing strategic partnership between 
     the United States and Tunisia and praised the role of civil 
     society organizations in Tunisia's democratic transition;
       Whereas the United States Government allocated 
     approximately $580,000,000 in foreign assistance during 
     fiscal years 2011 through 2014, which is 10 ten times the 
     bilateral assistance appropriated for Tunisia during the 
     previous 4 fiscal years;
       Whereas the President's Budget Request for fiscal year 2016 
     included a substantial increase in bilateral assistance to 
     support Tunisia's democratic transition;
       Whereas it is in America's interest to see that a pluralist 
     democracy and a vibrant economy develop in Tunisia;
       Whereas the United States should provide a level of funding 
     to strongly assist and reinforce Tunisia's transition to 
     democracy, stability, and prosperity:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet on 
     winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize;
       (2) commends the leaders of The Tunisian General Labor 
     Union; The Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade, and 
     Handicrafts; The Tunisian Human Rights League; and The 
     Tunisian Order of Lawyers for negotiating solutions to 
     political crises;
       (3) commends Tunisian political leaders for their 
     willingness to compromise and work together in the interest 
     of the Tunisian people;
       (4) encourages the Government of Tunisia to build upon its 
     successes and move swiftly to implement necessary political 
     and economic reforms that will benefit the Tunisian people 
     and consolidate Tunisia's democratic transition; and
       (5) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to 
     support the Government of Tunisia and its people as they 
     continue on the path to democracy and fulfill their desire 
     for a stable and prosperous country.

                          ____________________