Whereas relations between the United States and Tunisia began in 1795, and the 2 countries have partnered in trade and security since the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed at Tunis, August 28, 1797; Whereas the United States was the first major power to recognize a sovereign Tunisia, following its independence from France in 1956; Whereas the people of the United States and of Tunisia share core values, such as respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law; Whereas, on January 14, 2011, the peaceful mass protests of the Jasmine Revolution successfully brought to an end the authoritarian rule of President Ben Ali; Whereas, in the aftermath of Ben Ali's resignation, Tunisians— (1) initiated a peaceful, consensus-based, and inclusive transition to democracy; (2) held the first competitive, multi-party democratic elections of the 2011 Arab Spring; (3) adopted a new constitution in 2014; and (4) held new elections under that constitution later that year; Whereas, on December 31, 2014, after winning a free and fair presidential election, Beji Caid Essebsi was inaugurated as the first freely elected President of Tunisia; Whereas, on October 9, 2015, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a coalition of 4 civil society organizations, the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for the coalition’s work— (1) building on the promise of the 2011 Jasmine Revolution; and (2) ensuring that the transition of Tunisia into a democracy did not descend into violence or renewed authoritarianism; Whereas Tunisia has been the only North African country to achieve a Free rating by the Freedom House’s annual Freedom in the World report, and has maintained a Free rating since 2015; Whereas the political evolution of Tunisia stands as an inspiration for citizens of other states aspiring to establish the institutions of democracy after a history of autocratic rule; Whereas Tunisia suffered significant terrorist attacks in 2015 and 2016