•HRES 719 IH 
Whereas Mr. Bouazizi’s death in December 2010 became a 
rallying cry for more democracy and economic freedom in 
Tunisia; 
Whereas demonstrations by the Tunisian people forced Presi-
dent Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to flee Tunisia on January 
14, 2011, after over 23 years of authoritarian rule; 
Whereas the political transition became known as the ‘‘Jas-
mine Revolution’’; 
Whereas national elections were held on October 23, 2011, to 
select a 217-seat National Constituent Assembly; 
Whereas the October Tunisian elections were widely praised 
by international election observers; 
Whereas 54 percent of eligible voters participated in the elec-
tion; 
Whereas over 11,600 candidates participated in the election; 
Whereas the National Constituent Assembly has put in place 
a transitional government and is expected to draft a new 
constitution; 
Whereas disputes over reform priorities, economic crisis, 
labor unrest, regional tension, and lingering insecurity 
are continuing challenges; 
Whereas Tunisia exhibits a number of unique attributes in its 
region, such as a relatively small territory, a sizable and 
well-educated middle class, and a long history of encour-
aging women’s socioeconomic freedoms; 
Whereas many view Tunisia as a ‘‘test case’’ for democratic 
transitions in its region; 
Whereas damage from the December 2010–January 2011 un-
rest, political uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring Libya, 
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•HRES 719 IH 
and economic crisis in Europe have contributed to severe 
economic difficulties in Tunisia; 
Whereas it is estimated that Tunisia experienced zero percent 
growth in 2011, following more than 3% growth in 2010; 
Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary con-
cern for most Tunisians; 
Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people 
are not realized, the potential for anti-democratic or ex-
tremist forces to exploit the current instability will only 
be magnified; 
Whereas strong, sustained economic growth and development 
would provide the necessary resources for Tunisia to 
build democratic institutions and solidify public support 
for democratic governance, as well as ensure strong labor, 
environmental, and human rights protections; 
Whereas engagement with Tunisia through trade negotiations 
would encourage greater reform, including the protection 
of intellectual property, and build its capacity to mod-
ernize and liberalize its economy, as well as provide max-
imum leverage to facilitate the implementation of strong 
labor, environmental, and human rights protections; 
Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in the 
Arab world is in the interest of the United States and 
would fuel both economic and democratic development 
throughout the region; 
Whereas in 2010, the United States was Tunisia’s fifth-larg-
est trading partner; 
Whereas American firms invested over $255 million in Tuni-
sia in 2010; 
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•HRES 719 IH 
Whereas U.S. exports to Tunisia were $586 million and U.S. 
imports from Tunisia were $352 million in 2011; 
Whereas Tunisia is an important market for U.S. grain, 
seeds, and cereal exports; 
Whereas Tunisia is an important source of oil, fats and food 
oils, and textiles for the United States; 
Whereas the United States and Tunisia have re-launched ne-
gotiations for a Trade and Investment Framework Agree-
ment (TIFA); and 
Whereas Tunisia has been a member of the World Trade Or-
ganization since 1995: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that the United States should initiate negotia-
tions to enter into a free trade agreement with Tunisia. 
Æ 
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