Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act

SOBER TRUTH ON PREVENTING UNDERAGE DRINKING ACT -- (House of Representatives - November 14, 2006)

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Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 864, the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act or STOP Underage Drinking Act.

Underage drinking is a serious public health concern in communities throughout our Nation. According to 2004 estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over 142,000 emergency room visits by youth, age 12 to 20, for unintentional injuries and other health-related concerns caused by alcohol consumption.

This bill builds interagency and community-based coalitions focusing on underage drinking, funds the production, broadcast and evaluation of national media-based public health campaigns about the dangers of underage drinking, and establishes grant programs for preventing and reducing alcohol abuse at institutions of higher education and surrounding communities.

This bill is a great start in moving our Nation towards the goal of decreasing youth access to, and consumption of, alcohol. It has the endorsement of both the alcohol beverage industry and a number of key public health advocates, both committed to the idea that a multifaceted national effort is key to making progress in curbing underage alcohol consumption.

I want to express my appreciation to Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's office, as well as the many other lead cosponsors of this bill that include Representatives Wamp, Osborne and DeLauro. I also want to thank the committee staff; the committee staff have dedicated their time and attention and effort to this bill. And I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time

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