[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H3405-H3406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING AMERICAN CRAFT BREWERS
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 753) commending American craft brewers.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 753
Whereas American craft brewers are a vibrant affirmation
and expression of American entrepreneurial traditions,
operating as community-based small businesses and providing
employment for more than 33,000 workers;
Whereas the United States has craft brewers in every State
and more than 1,300 craft brewers nationwide;
Whereas American craft brewers support American agriculture
by purchasing barley, malt, and hops grown, processed, and
distributed in the United States;
Whereas American craft brewers promote the Nation's spirit
of independence through a renaissance in hand-crafted beers
like those first brought to colonial shores by European
settlers and produced here by the Nation's founding fathers,
including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, for the
enjoyment of the citizenry;
Whereas American craft brewers strive to educate legal
drinking-age Americans about the differences in beer flavor,
aroma, color, alcohol content, body, and other complex
variables, as well as historic brewing traditions, beer
history, and gastronomic qualities of beer;
Whereas American craft brewers champion the message of
responsible enjoyment to their customers and work within
their communities to prevent alcohol abuse and underage
drinking;
Whereas American craft brewers produce more than 100
distinct styles of flavorful beers, the quality and diversity
of which have made the United States the envy of every beer-
drinking nation in the world, thereby contributing to
balanced trade by reducing American dependence on imported
beers, supporting American exports, and promoting United
States tourism;
Whereas American craft brewers are vested in the future,
health, and welfare of their communities as employers
providing a diverse array of quality local jobs, as
contributors to the local tax base, and as committed sponsors
of a broad range of vital community institutions and
philanthropic causes, including parent-teachers'
associations, Junior ROTC, children's hospitals, chambers of
commerce, humane societies, rescue squads, athletic teams,
and disease research; and
Whereas, in 2006, American craft brewers recognize the week
of May 15-21 as American Craft Beer Week and mark it as a
time to educate Americans about craft beer and celebrate the
contributions that American craft brewers have made to the
Nation's communities, economy, and history: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the establishment of American Craft Beer Week
as a celebration of the contributions that American craft
brewers have made to the Nation's communities, economy, and
history; and
(2) commends American craft brewers for providing jobs,
improving the balance of trade, supporting American
agriculture, and educating Americans about the history and
culture of beer while promoting the responsible consumption
of beer as a beverage of moderation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Boehlert).
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding, and I
rise today to recognize and congratulate America's craft brewers, one
of the most vibrant and fast growing class of small businesses in
America.
Craft brewers are entrepreneurs and hobbyists who create distinctive
beverages in small independent breweries across the country. They
represent the best in American ideals by combining a spirit of
industrious entrepreneurship with a commitment to quality and civic
responsibility. The result is a unique product that continues an
enduring American tradition of home brewing that can be traced back to
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Craft brewers have come a long way since then. Today, there are over
1,300 independent breweries throughout the country, and their numbers
are continuing to grow. For the second straight year, craft beer is the
fastest growing segment of the U.S. alcoholic beverage industry. In
2005, craft beer experienced a 9 percent increase in volume, nearly
triple that of the growth experienced in the wine and spirits industry.
This industry occupies an important niche in our economy and its
continued growth is beneficial to our communities. Not only do craft
brewers provide over 33,000 of our constituents with quality jobs, they
also support our agricultural economy by purchasing barley and malt and
hops grown, processed, and shipped domestically. Furthermore, with over
100 diverse and flavorful beverages, craft brewers' beverages have
attracted an international following that has strengthened and
increased U.S. beer exports.
[[Page H3406]]
In my district, the F.X. Matt Brewing Company has become an integral
part of our community. For 118 years, this regional brewery has
continually reinvented itself and today is most famous for its line of
Saranac beer. The brewery's capacity to respond to market changes and
customer demands have ensured its continued ability to provide over 100
high-quality manufacturing jobs in an area that has experienced a
decline in this sector.
Continuing the tradition of attention to the local community, the
F.X. Matt Brewing Company fosters local pride and involvement through
their association with the Boilermaker 15K Road Race, one of the finest
in America, which culminates in an area-wide celebration at the
brewery, and by hosting what we call ``Saranac Thursdays'' throughout
the summer, from which all the proceeds benefit the United Way.
Craft brewers live and work in the community where their products are
made, which underlies their continued commitment to local charitable
and philanthropic institutions. They have supported children's
hospitals, humane societies, chambers of commerce, disease research,
and parent-teachers association. In short, they are just good citizens.
Craft brewers are committed to promoting the safe and moderate
consumption of their beverage, and work closely with their communities
to prevent underage drinking and alcohol abuse.
American craft brewers are a testament to this country's
entrepreneurial and community-based small businesses tradition, and I
urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the unique contributions
they have made to our culture and economy by supporting this
resolution.
Just let me make one last observation. Some people might say,
watching the proceedings of this House, why are they spending time on
resolutions like this when there are so many really pressing issues
facing the Nation? And the answer is very simple. This is a small
portion of our legislative week set aside for resolutions just like the
ones we are discussing, important to America, not of grand importance,
not everybody is concerned about them, but important to certain
segments of America.
Tomorrow, we go on with the appropriations bills to discuss things
like the war on terrorism. We dealt with homeland security today. We
deal day in and day out with critically important issues, but I think
it is just proper that we pause on occasion and dedicate a few minutes
to saluting, as I am saluting the small brewers of America, and you can
salute any small business you want to. They add to the very fabric of
our Nation, and I am proud to identify with it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from New York in
commending American craft brewers. America's brewing landscape began to
change during the late 1970s when the traditions and styles of brewing
brought to our country by immigrants from all over the world began to
disappear. Highly effective marketing campaigns were changing America's
beer preference to light-adjunct lager. Low-calorie beers soon began
driving and shaping the growth and nature of the American brewing
industry.
The home brewing hobby began to thrive as American beer drinkers
began brewing their own beer so that they could experience the beer
traditions and styles of other countries. Those home brewing roots gave
birth to what we now call the ``craft brewing'' industry. Today,
American craft-brewed beer is an all-malt beer that is higher in
calories and has greater flavor and aroma than the light beers of the
1970s.
Made by any one of America's 1,458 small regional microbreweries, our
pub breweries, craft brewers produced 6.23 million barrels, or 3
percent, of the beer consumed in the American States in 2001. American
craft brewers are small community-based businesses that employ 33,000
workers and exemplify the American entrepreneurial spirit.
Since 1978, the American craft beer industry has never lost market
share. Craft brewers have succeeded in expanding the minds of beer
consumers and in creating and establishing a niche in the American
consumer market. Today's American beer consumers continue to provide
support to the craft beer market.
Again, I join with the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from
California in commending the home brewers, as many people like to call
them, but the people who make their own so they can sip it, and taste
it, and know what it is like before it is finished.
Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution, urge its passage, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I will close in two important ways. One is to,
first, urge all of my colleagues here and already at home tonight to
vote for this resolution. I think it sets the right balance on an
important segment of our craft industry. Much more than an alcohol
industry, this is about the right of the small operation to do
something that is a time-honored tradition.
Secondly, I would like to reiterate in the best possible terms why
this time we spend here in the evening is different. Most of our
colleagues have gone home for the evening or gone to their dinners,
but, in fact, Members will choose to come here and take time that
otherwise these Chambers would be dark to talk about issues that don't
affect all of America but affect some part of America or their
district, and I believe that this is the right balance.
I continue to support the idea that we should bring resolutions on
suspensions to the floor when they are not controversial but important
to segments of our economy.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 753.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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