III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 330 

Congratulating the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for winning the 2015 

Nobel Peace Prize. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 7, 2015 

Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. KAINE, and Mr. PERDUE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Congratulating the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for 

winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize. 

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 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 330 IS 

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.’’; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 330 IS 

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 

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 underVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:37 Dec 07, 2015 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR330.IS SR330

smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 330 IS 

takes 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 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; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
5 

•SRES 330 IS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) congratulates the Tunisian National Dia3 logue Quartet on winning the 2015 Nobel Peace 

4 Prize; 

5 (2) commends the leaders of The Tunisian Gen6 eral Labor Union; The Tunisian Confederation of 

7 Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts; The Tunisian 

8 Human Rights League; and The Tunisian Order of 

9 Lawyers for negotiating solutions to political crises; 

10 (3) commends Tunisian political leaders for 

11 their willingness to compromise and work together in 

12 the interest of the Tunisian people; 

13 (4) encourages the Government of Tunisia to 

14 build upon its successes and move swiftly to imple15 ment necessary political and economic reforms that 

16 will benefit the Tunisian people and consolidate 

17 Tunisia’s democratic transition; and 

18 (5) reaffirms the commitment of the United 

19 States to support the Government of Tunisia and its 

20 people as they continue on the path to democracy 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
6 

•SRES 330 IS 

1 and fulfill their desire for a stable and prosperous 

2 country. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS