ALEXANDRIA, Va. – America’s beer distributors and brewers are preparing to visit the nation’s Capital for the 17th Annual NBWA/BREWERS Joint Legislative Conference, where they will meet face-to-face with legislators and discuss issues of importance to the beer industry. The event will take place April 22-25 in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Attendees will hear from Members of Congress including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Senator John Ensign (NV) and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34). Mort Kondracke, Fox News Channel “Beltway Boy” and Roll Call executive editor, will also address the group.
“The Annual Legislative Conference gives beer distributors a chance to educate lawmakers about the beer industry’s economic contributions, the responsibility initiatives they sponsor and the importance of the state-based regulatory system in which distributors and brewers operate,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “Millions of hard-working Americans earn their livelihood in the brewing or beer distribution industry. This is an industry that takes great pride in the fact that all of its employees have good wages, employer-provided health care and good benefits.
“This is also an industry that is strictly regulated and it is important for legislators to understand the significance of the state-based regulatory system. Effective state regulations work to discourage abuse and ensure malt beverage products are distributed and sold in a responsible way to those of legal drinking age. As society addresses problems like underage drinking and drunk driving, the importance of maintaining effective state-based alcohol regulation is critical.”
Distributors and brewers will meet with their U.S. Representatives and Senate leaders to discuss legislative goals and issues including:
- Ensuring appropriate control of malt beverages through state-based regulation;
- Implementation of the STOP Underage Drinking Law and promoting responsibility;
- The beer industry’s economic contributions and providing good jobs; and
- Rolling back the regressive federal excise tax increase on beer.
A top priority for beer distributors and brewers at the Conference will be to educate the new Congress about the recently-enacted STOP Underage Drinking law, and urge members to ensure all directives of the law are carried through. The STOP Law was signed by President Bush at the end of the 109th Congress. It establishes a Federal coordinating committee to prevent underage drinking and authorizes a national media campaign, new grant programs and research to combat underage drinking. It also acknowledges the important role state-based regulation of alcohol beverages plays in keeping alcohol out of the hands of youth.
To help facilitate the registration process, NBWA has provided online registration for its beer distributor members via its Web site at www.nbwa.org. NBWA is also providing complimentary registration for beverage industry press representatives who choose to cover the event in their publications.