[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 551 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 551

   Celebrating 75 years of successful State-based alcohol regulation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 6, 2008

   Mr. Baucus (for himself and Mr. Barrasso) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Celebrating 75 years of successful State-based alcohol regulation.

Whereas, throughout the history of the United States, alcohol has been consumed 
        by the people of the United States and has been regulated by government;
Whereas, before the passage of the 18th amendment to the Constitution of the 
        United States (commonly known as ``National Prohibition''), abuses and 
        insufficient regulation resulted in irresponsible overconsumption of 
        alcohol;
Whereas the 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, a growth in organized crime, and 
        increasing noncompliance with alcohol laws;
Whereas the platforms of the 2 major political parties in the 1932 presidential 
        campaign advocated ending National Prohibition by repealing the 18th 
        amendment;
Whereas, on February 20, 1933, the second 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 requiring the 
        transportation or importation of alcoholic beverages for delivery or use 
        in any State to be carried out in compliance with the laws of that 
        State;
Whereas, on December 5, 1933, Utah became the 36th State to approve what became 
        the 21st amendment to the Constitution of the United States, making the 
        ratification of the 21st amendment the fastest ratification of a 
        constitutional amendment in the history of the United States and the 
        only ratification of a constitutional amendment ever decided by State 
        conventions pursuant to Article V of the Constitution;
Whereas alcohol is the only product in commerce in the United States that has 
        been the subject of 2 constitutional amendments;
Whereas Congress's reenactment in 1935 of the Act entitled ``An Act divesting 
        intoxicating liquors of their interstate character in certain cases'', 
        approved March 1, 1913 (commonly known as the Webb-Kenyon Act) (27 
        U.S.C. 122), and the enactment of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act 
        (27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), section 2004 of Aimee's Law (27 U.S.C. 122a) 
        (relating to 21st amendment enforcement), the Sober Truth on Preventing 
        Underage Drinking Act (Public Law 109-422; 120 Stat. 2890), and annual 
        appropriations to support State enforcement of underage drinking laws 
        demonstrate a longstanding and continuing intent on the part of Congress 
        that States should exercise their primary authority to achieve 
        temperance, the creation and maintenance of orderly and stable markets 
        with respect to alcoholic beverages, and the facilitation of the 
        efficient collection of taxes;
Whereas the legislatures and alcoholic beverage control agencies of the 50 
        States have worked diligently to implement the powers granted by the 
        21st amendment for 75 years and to ensure the creation and maintenance 
        of State-based regulatory systems for alcohol distribution made up of 
        producers, importers, wholesale distributors, and retailers;
Whereas the development of a transparent and accountable system for the 
        distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages, an orderly market, 
        temperance in consumption and sales 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 the geographically and culturally 
        diverse Nation;
Whereas regulated commerce in alcoholic beverages annually contributes billions 
        of dollars in Federal and State tax revenues and additional billions to 
        the United States economy and supports the employment of millions of 
        people in the United States in more than 2,500 breweries, distilleries, 
        wineries, and import companies, more than 2,700 wholesale distributor 
        facilities, more than 530,000 retail outlets, and numerous agricultural, 
        packaging, and transportation businesses;
Whereas the United States 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 consumers in the United States 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, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates 75 years of effective State-based alcohol 
        regulation since the passage of the 21st amendment to the 
        Constitution of the United States;
            (2) commends State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement 
        officers, the public health community, and industry members for 
        successful collaboration in achieving a workable, legal, and 
        successful system for the distribution and sale of alcoholic 
        beverages; and
            (3) reaffirms the continued support of the Senate for 
        policies that allow States to effectively regulate alcohol.
                                 <all>