[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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