[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15683]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORT OF FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WE DON'T SERVE TEENS INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 2, 2016

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address 
underage drinking, a public health and safety issue that is often lost 
in the pile of other stories in our 24-hour news cycle.
  Back in 2005, the Federal Trade Commission initiated a consumer 
education program to reduce underage drinking called ``We Don't Serve 
Teens.'' It is a valuable resource to raise awareness among parents, 
educators, and other adults that furnishing alcohol to minors is 
illegal and irresponsible. The program also encourages common-sense 
measures to further reduce illegal underage drinking and the dangers 
caused by teens who drink illegally and to the general public.
  Over the last several years, I have checked with credible sources to 
see how we are doing as a nation on addressing underage drinking.
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA) indicates that progress has continued for more than a decade 
in reducing underage drinking, but it remains a serious public health 
problem for adolescents and young adults.
  SAMSHA surveys find that significant numbers of younger persons 
between the ages of 12 and 14 drank alcohol in the month before they 
were surveyed, and that more than 90 percent obtain alcohol from their 
own home, the home of a friend, or an adult family member. Those 
findings clearly indicate the importance that family members can play 
in reducing young adolescents' access to alcohol and the associated 
risks of injury and the early onset of serious health problems.
  Recent information on highway deaths from the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration is very discouraging for adults and 
teens. Highway deaths increased in 2015 as did deaths from drunk 
driving. More than 10,000 Americans were killed in drunk-driving 
accidents, and younger drivers are a large portion of that terrible and 
preventable toll. Tens of thousands of people were also injured, 
including many young people who will be scarred or disabled for life.
  Underage drinking is illegal and persons under the age of 21 are 
subject to arrest, fines, and license suspension for possession of 
alcohol beverages or driving after consumption of a single drink. This 
issue is often overlooked in stories about the criminal justice system. 
Thousands of young people get a criminal record and driver's license 
history that will prevent them from obtaining many jobs that involve 
driving or that require a clean record. In addition to the risk of 
injury and death, experimenting with alcohol can cause a young person 
permanent economic harm.
  A substantial proportion of college students are under the age of 21. 
They face significantly higher risks than their non-college peers of 
injury or death from assault, car crashes, and other accidents after 
illegally consuming alcohol. This behavior must be challenged. Our best 
and brightest students, many of whom attend publicly supported schools 
and receive government grants and subsidies, have to do better.
  For the last eleven years, members of the alcohol beverage industry 
have actively supported the We Don't Serve Teens initiative. 
Constellation Brands Beer Division and many retail stores in Chicago 
have made long-term commitments to underage drinking prevention in the 
district I represent and surrounding communities. Over the last couple 
of months, they sponsored electronic billboards, bus shelter signs, and 
media messages to promote the We Don't Serve Teens message. Other 
companies made similar efforts in their home cities. I commend those 
efforts. I also ask all adults and teens to work together to further 
reduce the tragic consequences of illegal underage drinking. All of 
these hazards are preventable.
  As we approach the holiday season celebrations in our homes and 
elsewhere, I urge all adults to set an example of responsible behavior 
and compliance with laws designed to ensure the safety of our citizens. 
With a sincere commitment of parents, guardians, and concerned citizens 
to remain involved in the lives of our teens, we can all get home 
safely and to enjoy special holiday occasions together for years to 
come.

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