[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 415 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 415


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 22 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

                                Received

            October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

               Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and 
recognizing State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the 
 public health community and industry members for creating a workable, 
    legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, 
                        distribution, and sale.

Whereas throughout American history, alcohol has been consumed by its citizens 
        and regulated by the Government;
Whereas prior to the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which established 
        Prohibition in the United States, abuses and insufficient regulation 
        resulted in irresponsible overconsumption of alcohol;
Whereas passage of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited ``the manufacture, sale, 
        or transportation of intoxicating liquors'' in the United States, 
        resulted in a dramatic increase in illegal activity, including unsafe 
        black market alcohol production, organized crime, and noncompliance with 
        alcohol laws;
Whereas the platforms of the 2 major political parties in the 1932 presidential 
        campaigns advocated ending national Prohibition by repealing the 18th 
        Amendment;
Whereas on February 20, 1933, the 2nd Session of the 72nd Congress submitted to 
        conventions of the States the question of repealing the 18th Amendment 
        and adding new language to the Constitution that the transportation or 
        importation of alcoholic beverages for delivery or use in any State 
        would have to be carried out in compliance with the laws of the State;
Whereas on December 3, 1933, Utah became the 36th State to approve what became 
        the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, the quickest-ratified amendment 
        and the only ever decided by State conventions, pursuant to article V of 
        the Constitution;
Whereas alcohol is the only product in commerce that has been the subject of 2 
        constitutional amendments;
Whereas Congress's reenactment of the Webb-Kenyon Act, passage of the Federal 
        Alcohol Administration Act, the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act, annual 
        appropriations to support State enforcement of underage drinking laws, 
        and the STOP Underage Drinking Act demonstrated the longstanding and 
        continuing intent of Congress that States exercise their primary 
        authority to achieve temperance, the creation and maintenance of orderly 
        and stable markets, and the facilitation of the efficient collection of 
        taxes;
Whereas legislatures and alcoholic beverage control agencies in the 50 States 
        have worked diligently to implement the powers granted by the 21st 
        Amendment for 75 years;
Whereas legislatures and alcoholic beverage control agencies in all States 
        created and maintain State-based regulatory systems for alcohol 
        distribution made up of producers and importers, wholesale distributors, 
        and retailers;
Whereas development of a transparent and accountable system of distribution and 
        sales, an orderly market, temperance in consumption and safe practices, 
        the efficient collection of taxes, and other essential policies have 
        been successfully guided by the collective experience and cooperation of 
        government agencies and licensed industry members throughout our 
        geographically and culturally diverse Nation;
Whereas regulated commerce in alcoholic beverages contributes billions of 
        dollars in Federal and State tax revenues and additional billions to the 
        economy annually;
Whereas 2,500 breweries, distilleries, wineries, and import companies, 2,700 
        wholesale distributor facilities, over 530,000 retail outlets, and 
        numerous agricultural, packaging, and transportation businesses support 
        the employment of millions of Americans;
Whereas the American system of State-based alcohol regulation has resulted in a 
        marketplace with unprecedented choice, variety, and selection for 
        consumers;
Whereas members of the licensed alcoholic beverage industry have been constant 
        partners with Federal and State Governments in balancing the conduct of 
        competitive businesses with the need to control alcohol in order to 
        provide American consumers with a safe and regulated supply of alcoholic 
        beverages; and
Whereas members of the licensed alcoholic beverage industry have created and 
        supported a wide range of national, State, and community programs to 
        address problems associated with alcohol abuse, including drunk driving 
        and underage drinking: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) celebrates 75 years of effective State-based alcohol 
        regulation since the passage of the 21st Amendment;
            (2) recognizes State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement 
        officers, the public health community and industry members for 
        creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic 
        beverage regulation, distribution, and sale; and
            (3) continues to support policies that allow States to 
        effectively regulate alcohol.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 2008.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.