[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3509-H3510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1297) supporting the goals and ideals 
of American Craft Beer Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1297

       Whereas American Craft Beer Week is annually celebrated in 
     breweries, restaurants, and beer stores by craft brewers and 
     home brewers nationwide;
       Whereas in 2010, American Craft Beer Week is celebrated 
     from May 17 to May 23;
       Whereas craft brewers operate smaller breweries, each 
     producing less than 2,000,000 barrels per year, and produce 
     high-quality beers using traditional brewing techniques;
       Whereas more than 1,500 craft breweries are in business 
     across the United States;
       Whereas in 2009, 110 new breweries opened, creating jobs 
     and improving economies in communities across the United 
     States;
       Whereas in 2009, American craft breweries produced more 
     than 9,000,000 barrels of beer, which was 500,000 more 
     barrels than in 2008;
       Whereas American craft brewers export more than 1,300,000 
     gallons of beer abroad and are creating new markets and new 
     international opportunities each year;
       Whereas American craft brewers employ nearly 100,000 full- 
     and part-time workers and generate more than $3,000,000,000 
     in wages and benefits;
       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 increase awareness of the 
     differences in the flavor, aroma, color, alcohol content, 
     body, and other complex variables of beer, as well as 
     historic brewing traditions dating back to colonial America;
       Whereas American craft brewers champion the message of 
     responsible enjoyment to their customers and work with their 
     communities to prevent alcohol abuse and underage drinking;
       Whereas American craft brewers are frequently involved in 
     local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism, and 
     sponsorship of community events;
       Whereas craft brewing harnesses the innovative spirit of 
     the United States, creating new and unique styles of beers 
     that consistently win international quality and taste awards; 
     and
       Whereas increased Federal and State support of craft 
     brewing is important to fostering growth of an American 
     industry that creates jobs, greatly benefits the economy, and 
     brings international accolades to American small businesses: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer 
     Week, as founded by the Brewers Association;
       (2) recognizes the significant contributions of craft 
     brewers to the economy of the United States; and
       (3) encourages beer-lovers of the United States to 
     celebrate American Craft Beer Week through events at 
     microbreweries, brewpubs, and beer stores across the United 
     States to appreciate the accomplishments of craft brewers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I'm pleased to present H. Res. 1297 for consideration. This 
measure supports the goals and ideas of American Craft Beer Week.
  H. Res. 1297 was introduced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from 
Colorado, Representative Betsy Markey, on April 22, 2010. It was 
referred to the Committee on Government Reform, which ordered it 
reported favorably by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure 
enjoys the support of over 60 Members of the House.
  Madam Speaker, American craft brewers make up a small but fast 
growing part of the American beer industry, creating a wide variety of 
beers of many different flavors, colors, aromas, and alcohol strengths. 
Many commercial craft brewers began as hobbyists, learning about beer 
by brewing at home. The trade of craft brewing dates back to colonial 
America, and even George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were known to 
have produced their own beer.
  There are now more than 1,500 craft breweries across the United 
States. They employ over 100,000 full- and part-time employees and 
generate over $3 billion in wages and benefits annually. Their industry 
supports American agriculture by purchasing ingredients grown, 
processed, and distributed right here in the United States. They make 
up only a small percentage of the Nation's beer industry, about 6.9 
percent of the sales share in dollars, but craft brewers are growing 
rapidly in sales and market share, with a 10.3 increase in sales last 
year, despite a recession. They are a shining example of independent 
American businesses reaching great levels of success by creating and 
selling unique, high-quality products.
  This industry does much more than simply good business. Craft brewers 
are often fixtures in local communities, participating in community 
events and philanthropic works. They promote responsible alcohol 
consumption and raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse.
  And so, Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. 
Markey) for introducing this measure. And I also thank Chairman Towns 
and Ranking Member Issa for their support for the bill.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commending our country's craft 
brewers by supporting this measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1645

  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1297, 
recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer 
Week. The small and independent American craft brewing industry is 
making an increasingly valuable and substantial contribution to the 
American economy. Currently, the industry provides an estimated 100,000 
jobs, and craft breweries are located in every State of the Union.
  Not only are craft brewers responsible for providing a variety of 
quality, local jobs, they are responsible for the increased enjoyment 
and pleasure of craft beers, while customers discover the intricacies 
of aroma, color, body, and other variables in the beverage that makes 
it pleasurable to drink. These craft breweries also support American 
agriculture through purchases of barley, malt, and hops grown, 
processed, and distributed in the United States.
  In addition, craft brewers are in the forefront of educating people 
about responsible drinking and the prevention of alcohol abuse, as well 
as supporting programs created to prevent underage drinking. If 
Benjamin Franklin were with us today, perhaps he would revise his 
famous statement where he said, ``Beer is living proof that God loved 
us and wants us to be happy.'' He might preface it with the words, 
``American craft.''
  I ask my colleagues to support this fine example of American 
entrepreneurship, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it looks like George 
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin all had something in common 
in addition to being the Founders of our country. They also liked their 
beer.
  Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating American Craft Beer Week, May 17 
through May 23, 2010. This is a week to celebrate the many 
accomplishments of craft brewers and home brewers across the nation.
  After Prohibition destroyed local and regional breweries around the 
United States, it took approximately half a century before the American 
craft beer industry grew to offer so many distinct beer brands and 
styles. Until this resurgence, beer lovers had few options to choose 
from and even fewer options when looking for American-made beer.
  Today, American Craft Brewers are brewing smaller batches of quality 
beers using traditional methods but innovative recipes. Craft

[[Page H3510]]

brewers in this country create ales, lagers, and porters rivaling the 
best from around the world. American craft beers have won many 
international taste and quality competitions. I even know of one small 
brewer in my district whose fastest growing export market is Belgium, a 
nation well known for its own beer.
  Colorado's Front Range is home to six of the country's 50 largest 
brewers, a concentration of quality brewers that has led some to dub 
the area the Napa Valley of Beer. These small businesses have created 
brands well known nationwide and highly sought after by beer lovers 
across the globe.
  In addition to creating quality beers, it is important to remember 
what craft brewers do for our communities. Craft brewers work with 
partners to promote the safe consumption of their products. Many are 
involved in philanthropic activities, helping to improve the 
communities around them. Further, many are pioneers in the use of 
alternative energy and other sustainable practices in their businesses, 
practices that are unique for a product otherwise manufactured in large 
industrial breweries.
  In celebration of the many contributions made by these small 
businesses, American Craft Beer Week is a wonderful time to bring more 
focus to the craft brewing industry. Across the nation, celebrations of 
this week are taking place in breweries, brewpubs, alehouses, and 
homes.
  To sum up the importance of America's craft brewers, I think it best 
to quote a few lines from the Brewers Association's Declaration of Beer 
Independence:
  ``I declare that these are historic times for beer, with today's beer 
lover having inalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of hops and malt fermented from the finest of U.S. small and 
independent craft brewers with more than 1400 of them brewing today . . 
.''
  ``I declare American craft brewers provide flavorful and diverse 
American-made beers in more than 100 distinct styles that have made the 
United States the envy of every beer-drinking nation for the quality 
and variety of beers brewed. I declare that beer made by American craft 
brewers helps to reduce dependence on imported products and therefore 
contributes to balanced trade, and . . .''
  ``. . . the makers of these beers produce libations of substance and 
soul that are sincere and authentic, and the enjoyment of them is about 
savoring the gastronomic qualities including flavor, aroma, body, and 
mouthfeel, while practicing responsible appreciation.''
  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution celebrating May 
17 through 23 as American Craft Beer Week and I encourage responsible 
beer lovers everywhere to enjoy one of the thousands of craft beers 
brewed across the United States.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, America has a long and rich tradition 
with beer. Many of America's Founding Fathers--including Sam Adams, 
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and James 
Madison--who attempted to establish a ``Secretary of Beer'' as part of 
the new nation--were all avid small brewers. Thomas Jefferson built a 
brewery in his kitchen at Monticello and Benjamin Franklin famously 
wrote that ``Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be 
happy.''
  I have the distinction of serving as a representative from the state 
of Oregon, which is one of the most enlightened states when it comes to 
beer. Oregon craft beer represents 3.8 percent of the total volume of 
beer brewed in the U.S.
  Oregon is the second largest producer of hops in the country and the 
birthplace of the Willamette hop, giving us the IPA and now, the 
Cascade IPA. The city I represent, Portland, has 33 breweries, more per 
capita than any city in the world. These breweries provide an economic 
boost of over $2.3 billion to the region, promote local agriculture and 
provide opportunities for social interaction within the community.
  Most importantly, the craft brew industry is an engine of job 
creation. America has over 1500 small brewers. The small brewers in my 
state employ more than 4,700 individuals while struggling with the 
higher costs for production, raw materials, and packaging than their 
larger and in many cases foreign owned competitors. They also operate 
in one of the most highly regulated business sectors. In spite of this, 
they are important economic generators in their local communities, avid 
promoters of our agricultural economy, and tireless in communicating 
the history and traditions of brewing and the message of responsible 
enjoyment of their craft made lagers and ales.
  I would be remiss if I did not use this time to urge my colleagues to 
join the Congressional Small Brewers Caucus. The caucus meets regularly 
to not only celebrate the craft beer industry, but to educate our 
colleagues on the regulatory challenges these vital small businesses 
face every day.
  I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this resolution to the 
floor and urge their support of the resolution and of the craft brewers 
in their district.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I urge support of this resolution and yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1297.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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