[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1042 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 23, 2008.
Whereas the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the 
        Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates 
        there are 10,700,000 underage alcoholic beverage drinkers in the United 
        States;
Whereas research shows that young people who start drinking alcoholic beverages 
        before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop an alcohol-
        related disorder later in life;
Whereas surveys show that 17 percent of 8th graders, 33 percent of high school 
        sophomores, and 47 percent of high school seniors report recent drinking 
        of alcoholic beverages;
Whereas in a 2003 survey of such drinkers ages 10 to 18, 65 percent said they 
        got the alcohol from family members or friends--some took alcohol from 
        their home or a friend's home without permission, and in other cases 
        adults, siblings, or friends provided the alcohol;
Whereas the Surgeon General issued a national Call to Action against underage 
        drinking in March 2007, asking Americans to do more to stop current 
        underage drinkers from using alcohol and to keep other youth from 
        starting to drink alcohol before the age of 21;
Whereas the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free initiative is a coalition 
        of Governors' spouses, Federal agencies, and public and private 
        organizations which specifically targets prevention of drinking in the 
        9- to 15-year-old age group;
Whereas the National Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking is a coalition of 
        public health, law enforcement, religious, treatment and prevention, and 
        other organizations with the goal of supporting and promoting 
        implementation of a comprehensive strategy to reduce underage drinking;
Whereas the best protections against underage drinking are comprehensive 
        prevention and enforcement strategies that include educating parents and 
        members of the community;
Whereas beverage alcohol is a unique product and is regulated in such a way as 
        to encourage social responsibility;
Whereas parents should be encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers 
        of underage drinking;
Whereas the goal of the We Don't Serve Teens campaign is to educate parents and 
        community leaders about effective ways of reducing underage drinking;
Whereas the Federal Trade Commission has partnered with other Government 
        entities, members of the beverage alcohol industry, and members of the 
        advocacy community to educate the public on the dangers of underage 
        drinking;
Whereas the Federal Trade Commission has created a Web site, 
        www.dontserveteens.gov, as a resource for parents, educators, and 
        community leaders concerned with underage drinking;
Whereas Congress has demonstrated its commitment to the prevention of underage 
        drinking by enacting the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act 
        (STOP), which recognizes that the continued State regulation of all 
        three tiers of the beverage alcohol industry (manufacturer, wholesaler, 
        and retailer), as well as of the sale, distribution, transportation, and 
        importation of alcohol is critical to preventing access to alcohol by 
        persons under 21 years of age; and
Whereas the We Don't Serve Teens campaign seeks to unite State officials, 
        business leaders, parents, community leaders, and all three tiers of the 
        beverage alcohol industry in fighting underage drinking, and unites all 
        those participants in a concerted effort to protect America's youth: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of campaigns working to improve 
        long-term public health and well being, including campaigns that work to 
        prevent underage drinking of alcoholic beverages, such as the We don't 
        Serve Teens Campaign;
            (2) encourages Americans to utilize resources, including the Web 
        site of the Federal Trade Commission at www.dontserveteens.gov and the 
        Web site of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at 
        www.alcoholfreekids.org, that provide a wealth of information beneficial 
        to combating and reducing such underage drinking; and
            (3) commends the leadership and continuing efforts of all groups 
        working to reduce such underage drinking, including the Federal Trade 
        Commission, the Department of Health and Human Services, State and local 
        officials, law enforcement, public health organizations, community 
        groups, and the beverage alcohol industry.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.