[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 118 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING CRAFT SPIRITS WEEK 2020

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                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2020

  Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today during Craft Spirits Week to 
show my support for the more than 2,000 craft distilleries across the 
United States that support our vibrant tourism and hospitality 
industries, countless jobs, local farmers and manufacturers, and the 
larger economy. Vermont is home to a few of these companies and they 
are a wonderful addition to our vibrant tourism economy.
  Recent events surrounding COVID-19 have put an unprecedented burden 
on our craft distillers. According to a survey conducted by the 
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and American Distilling 
Institute, approximately 43 percent of distillery employees have been 
let go or furloughed since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, bringing 
the average number of a respondent's employees from 14 down to 8. On 
average, distilleries reported a 64 percent sales decline. Two-thirds 
of respondents did not believe they will be able to sustain their 
businesses for more than 6 months, while almost half did not anticipate 
being able to sustain their businesses for more than 3 months.
  Many were forced to close their doors to the public, but instead of 
closing shop entirely, craft distillers in every single state altered 
their business plans to help address the nationwide shortage of hand 
sanitizer. In the greatest time of need, craft distillers showed up for 
their fellow Americans without hesitation with many even donating their 
products to first responders. In Vermont, our distilleries pivoted 
quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and even provided sanitizer to 
businesses and domestic violence shelters.
  The economic hardships caused by this pandemic have been immediate 
and will last well beyond the end of COVID. The losses they have 
suffered over the last couple of months can never be fully recouped. 
That is why we need to come together to support these local businesses.
  These businesses don't operate in a vacuum, but in an ecosystem that 
support dozens of other businesses. The livelihoods of farmers, glass 
bottle makers, truck drivers, warehouse workers, and countless others 
connected to the hospitality and tourism industries are also 
compromised by the challenges confronting the distilled spirits 
industry. With distilleries located in every state in the nation, this 
should cause great concern for each member of Congress.
  I urge all my colleagues to take time to visit with and talk to the 
distillers in their districts to show their support for these small 
businesses during Craft Spirits Week. Distillers, like other 
businesses, need our support during this time. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues as well to support distillers and those in 
the hospitality sector who have been significantly impacted by the 
COVID-19 crisis.

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