•HRES 285 IH 
mitted breweries, distilleries, wineries, more than 20,000 
wholesale distributor facilities, more than 640,000 retail 
outlets, and numerous agricultural, construction, manu-
facturing, transportation, and service industry businesses; 
Whereas prior to the passage of the 18th Amendment to the 
Constitution (Prohibition), which prohibited ‘‘the manu-
facture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors’’, 
the lack of sufficient regulation led to widespread abuses 
of alcohol distribution and consumption to the detriment 
of the public health, welfare, and safety; 
Whereas after its passage, a dramatic increase in illegal ac-
tivity occurred, including unsafe black market alcohol 
production, a growth in violent organized crime, and in-
creased noncompliance with alcohol laws; 
Whereas, in 1933, the 72d Congress submitted to the States 
the question of repealing the 18th Amendment and re-
quiring the transportation or importation of alcohol bev-
erages for delivery or use in any State to be carried out 
in compliance with the laws of that State; 
Whereas Congress has consistently recognized and respected 
the primary authority of States to regulate alcohol in 
order to promote orderly, safe, and stable markets, effi-
cient tax collection, and temperance, as evidenced by and 
through passage of the Webb-Kenyon Act, creating an ex-
ception to the Commerce Clause and empowering States 
to regulate the importation and sale of alcohol beverages 
within their own borders (originally enacted in 1913; 27 
U.S.C. 122), the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 
U.S.C. 201 et seq.), the 21st Amendment Enforcement 
Act (27 U.S.C. 122a), and the Sober Truth on Pre-
venting Underage Drinking Act (Public Law 109–422; 
120 Stat. 2890); 
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•HRES 285 IH 
Whereas, for decades, the legislatures and alcohol beverage 
control agencies of the 50 States have exercised their pri-
mary authority under the 21st Amendment to ensure the 
creation and maintenance of State-based regulatory sys-
tems for alcohol distribution, promote accountability and 
responsibility by licensing local vendors of alcohol, pre-
vent the vertical integration of the alcohol industry, and 
maintain the integrity of a three-tier system made up of 
producers, importers, wholesale distributors, and retail-
ers; 
Whereas unlike other nations, the development of a trans-
parent, efficient, and accountable United States system 
for the distribution and sale of alcohol beverages, temper-
ance in consumption and sales practices, efficient tax col-
lection, and other essential public health and safety poli-
cies have been successfully guided by the collective experi-
ence and cooperation of government agencies and licensed 
industry members throughout the geographically and cul-
turally diverse Nation; 
Whereas the State-based system of alcohol regulation and a 
system of independent distribution have resulted in re-
ducing barriers to market and providing unprecedented 
choice, variety, and selection for consumers; and 
Whereas members of the licensed alcohol beverage industry 
have created, funded, and supported a wide range of na-
tional, State, and community programs to address prob-
lems associated with alcohol abuse, including drunk driv-
ing and underage drinking: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 285 IH 
(1) acknowledges over 85 years of effective 
State-based alcohol regulation since the passage of 
the 21st Amendment to the Constitution; 
(2) commends State lawmakers, regulators, law 
enforcement officers, the public health community, 
and industry members for achieving a workable, 
legal, and successful system for the distribution and 
sale of alcoholic beverages; 
(3) recognizes that an independent distribution 
system helps facilitate an orderly marketplace for al-
cohol that provides unprecedented choice and vari-
ety, aids in the efficient collection of taxes, protects 
consumers and the public, and works to balance ro-
bust competition and appropriate control; and 
(4) reaffirms the continued support of Congress 
for policies that allow States to effectively regulate 
alcohol. 
Æ 
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