[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 133 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S11331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 313--SUPPORTING THE WE DON'T SERVE TEENS CAMPAIGN

  Mr. LOTT (for himself and Mr. Pryor) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 313

       Whereas the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 
     estimates there are 11,000,000 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;
       Whereas, in a 2003 survey of drinkers ages 10 to 18, 65 
     percent said they got the alcohol from family members or 
     friends--some took alcohol from their own 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 young people from starting;
       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 We Don't Serve Teens campaign seeks to unite 
     State officials, business leaders, parents, and community 
     leaders in fighting 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 an 
     Internet website, 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 3-tier system of manufacturer, wholesaler, and 
     retailer and continued State regulation of the sale and 
     distribution of alcohol are critical to preventing access to 
     alcohol by persons under 21 years of age; and
       Whereas the We Don't Serve Teens campaign recognizes that 
     all 3 tiers of the beverage alcohol industry play a key role 
     in the prevention of underage drinking, and unites all of 
     those participants in a concerted effort to protect America's 
     youth: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of campaigns working to 
     prevent underage drinking, including the We Don't Serve Teens 
     campaign;
       (2) recognizes September 10-15, 2007, as ``National We 
     Don't Serve Teens Week'';
       (3) encourages people across the Nation to take advantage 
     of the wealth of information that can be used to combat 
     underage drinking; and
       (4) commends the leadership and continuing efforts of all 
     groups working to reduce underage drinking, including State 
     and local officials, the Federal Trade Commission, community 
     groups, public health organizations, law enforcement, and the 
     beverage alcohol industry.

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