[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 171 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 171

To urge the Federal Communications Commission to commence an inquiry on 
         distilled spirits advertising on television and radio.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 19, 1997

Mr. Kennedy of Massachusetts (for himself, Mr. Hansen, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
    Conyers, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. McDermott, Mr. 
     Dellums, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Minge, Mr. 
  Underwood, Mr. Faleomavaega, Ms. Norton, Mr. Murtha, and Mr. Rush) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                              on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
To urge the Federal Communications Commission to commence an inquiry on 
         distilled spirits advertising on television and radio.

Whereas for forty-eight years, the distilled spirits industry followed a self-
        imposed voluntary ban against advertising their products on television 
        or radio;
Whereas in June 1996, a distiller began airing 30-second televised commercials 
        for a popular whisky brand, marking the first major break with the 
        voluntary industry ban;
Whereas in November 1996, the Distilled Spirits Council ended its voluntary ban 
        which had served the public interest since 1948;
Whereas the number of distillers advertising their products on television and 
        radio continues to increase;
Whereas alcohol is a factor in the 3 leading causes of death for 15- to 24-year 
        olds (accidents, homicides, suicides);
Whereas alcohol accounts for more than 100,000 deaths each year;
Whereas a recent nationwide poll found that 69 percent of American adults 
        support a Federal Government investigation of the impact of television 
        and radio advertising of alcoholic beverages on teens and children;
Whereas the Federal Communications Commission has the responsibility to ensure 
        that the public interest is served by uses of the public airwaves;
Whereas a Federal Communications Commission review of the effects of the 
        introduction of distilled spirits advertising on public airwaves would 
        produce a factual record that would be useful to Congress, the 
        Administration, as well as the public; and
Whereas the President, the Attorney General, Members of Congress, numerous 
        States, and hundreds of public interest groups and individuals have 
        asked the Federal Communications Commission to examine various issues 
        raised by the introduction of distilled spirits advertising on 
        television and radio: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Congress of the United States urges the Federal 
Communications Commission to issue a notice of inquiry to seek comment 
and gather facts related to issues raised by the introduction of 
distilled spirits advertising on television and radio, with a 
particular focus on the effects of such advertisements on children and 
teenagers.
                                 <all>