ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 4 NBWA-Prohibition-anny
Pennsylvania Became 35th State to Ratify the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- December 5, 2008, marks 75 years since Prohibition was officially repealed in the United States with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. On this historic day in 1933, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution. That same day, the 36 states -- 3/4 majority -- needed to ratify the 21st Amendment and overturn the 18th Amendment which began Prohibition was achieved, making the 18th Amendment the only constitutional amendment to ever be repealed. The 21st Amendment not only officially ended Prohibition; it also established the effective, state-based system of alcohol regulation that today works to efficiently provide American consumers with an unparalleled choice and variety of beer.
"Prohibition demonstrated that a 'one size fits all' approach to alcohol regulation does not work," said Craig Purser, president of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). "The 21st Amendment allows an individual state to regulate alcohol as its citizens see fit."
"Thanks to Pennsylvania and the other states that ratified the 21st Amendment, the United States has the most responsible and transparent alcohol regulatory system in the world today," continued Purser. "The American system of alcohol distribution, which tracks products from the time they leave the brewer or importer until the time they reach store shelves or bar taps, is the gold standard for transporting products to consumers."
The same system that provides transparency and accountability provides consumers with unparalleled choice and variety. America's beer distributors deliver nearly 13,000 labels of beer -- from the smallest regional microbrews to the largest multinational brands -- to grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores and other licensed retailers.
Pennsylvania's beer distribution industry is a dynamic part of the state's economy, employing more than 4,700 hard-working men and women who earn $299 million collectively in wages. Beer distributors don't just offer solid wages; they also offer generous company-provided benefits including health care. The beer distribution sector generates approximately $796 million in total economic impact for the state of Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1938, the National Beer Wholesalers Association advocates before government and the public on behalf of more than 2,750 licensed independent beer distributors with operations servicing every congressional district and state across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring that the products they provide are consumed legally, moderately and responsibly. For more information about beer distributors, please visit www.nbwa.org.
Contact: Rebecca Spicer, rspicer@nbwa.org, Erin Munley, emunley@nbwa.org, 800-300-6417
SOURCE National Beer Wholesalers Association
