[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7877]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 188--EXPRESSING APPRECIATION OF THE GOALS OF AMERICAN 
CRAFT BEER WEEK AND COMMENDING THE SMALL AND INDEPENDENT CRAFT BREWERS 
                          OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Ms. Cantwell, and Ms. Ayotte) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 188

       Whereas American Craft Beer Week is celebrated annually in 
     breweries, brew pubs, restaurants, and beer stores by craft 
     brewers, home brewers, and beer enthusiasts nationwide;
       Whereas in 2015, American Craft Beer Week is celebrated 
     from May 11 to May 17;
       Whereas craft brewers are a vibrant affirmation and 
     expression of the entrepreneurial traditions of the United 
     States, operating as community-based small businesses, 
     providing employment for 115,000 full- and part-time workers, 
     and generating annually more than $3,000,000,000 in wages and 
     benefits;
       Whereas the United States has craft brewers in every State 
     and more than 3,500 craft breweries nationwide, each 
     producing fewer than 6,000,000 barrels of beer annually;
       Whereas in 2014, 615 new breweries opened in the United 
     States, creating jobs and improving economic conditions in 
     communities across the United States;
       Whereas in 2014, craft breweries in the United States 
     produced more than 22,000,000 barrels of beer, which is 
     3,300,000 more barrels than craft breweries produced in 2013;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States now export 
     more than 383,000 barrels of beer and are establishing new 
     markets abroad, which creates more domestic jobs to meet the 
     growing international demand for craft beer from the United 
     States;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States support 
     United States agriculture by purchasing barley, malt, and 
     hops that are grown, processed, and distributed in the United 
     States;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States produce more 
     than 100 distinct styles of flavorful beers, including many 
     sought-after new and unique styles ranging from smoked 
     porters to pumpkin peach ales that--
       (1) contribute to a favorable balance of trade by reducing 
     United States dependence on imported beers;
       (2) support United States exports; and
       (3) promote United States tourism;

       Whereas craft beers from the United States consistently win 
     international quality and taste awards;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States strive to 
     educate the people of the United States who are of legal 
     drinking age about the differences in beer flavor, aroma, 
     color, alcohol content, body, and other complex variables, 
     the gastronomic qualities of beer, beer history, and 
     historical brewing traditions dating back to colonial times 
     and earlier;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States champion the 
     message of responsible enjoyment to their customers and work 
     within their communities and the industry to prevent alcohol 
     abuse and underage drinking;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States are 
     frequently involved in local communities through 
     philanthropy, volunteerism, and sponsorship opportunities, 
     including parent-teacher associations, Junior Reserve 
     Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), hospitals for children, 
     chambers of commerce, humane societies, rescue squads, 
     athletic teams, and disease research;
       Whereas the craft brewers of the United States are fully 
     vested in the future success, health, welfare, and vitality 
     of their communities as local employers who provide a diverse 
     array of quality local jobs that will not be outsourced, who 
     contribute to the local tax base; and who keep money in the 
     United States by reinvesting in their businesses; and
       Whereas increased Federal, State, and local support of 
     craft brewing is important to fostering the continued growth 
     of an industry of the United States that creates jobs, 
     greatly benefits local economies, and brings international 
     accolades to small businesses in the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate--
       (1) appreciates the goals of American Craft Beer Week, 
     established by the Brewers Association, which represents the 
     small craft brewers of the United States;
       (2) recognizes the significant contributions of the craft 
     brewers of the United States to the economy and to the 
     communities in which the craft brewers are located; and
       (3) commends the craft brewers of the United States for 
     providing jobs, supporting United States agriculture, 
     improving the balance of trade, and educating the people of 
     the United States and beer lovers around the world about the 
     history and culture of beer while promoting the legal and 
     responsible consumption of beer.

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