Remarks by U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (NC-6) in Support of H Con Res 415:
Celebrating 75 Years of Effective, State-Based Alcohol Regulation
The National Beer Wholesalers Association represents the more than 2,750 licensed beer distributors with operations in every state and congressional district throughout the United States. America’s beer distributors are local, independent businesses. Distributors are local community, civic and business leaders in their local communities. 2008 marks the 75th Anniversary of the 21st Amendment and the repeal of Prohibition. The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Federal Alcohol Administration Act established a unique state and federal regulatory system for alcohol beverages. While state laws differ in certain details, they share a common basic framework known as the three-tier system of beer distribution. In the beer industry, brewers and beer importers are known as the supplier tier and are accountable to federal and state regulatory agencies. The suppliers sell their products to beer distributors, each of which holds a federal permit and a state license. Distributors provide customized beer inventory to state-licensed retail outlets of all types, sizes, and locations throughout the United States. Licensed retailers sell beer only to consumers of legal drinking age at convenience or package stores, restaurants, bars, stadiums and other venues. In the 109th Congress, NBWA worked hard to pass the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (“STOP Act”), which was signed into law by President Bush on December 20, 2006. This historic piece of legislation addresses youth access to alcohol by recognizing that it is different from other consumer products and emphasizing each state’s primary role in regulating the production, distribution and sale of alcohol within its borders. NBWA applauds the congressional leaders who paved the way for passage of this important legislation and looks forward to the opportunity to work with the 110th Congress to implement the directives of this legislation.