It's official. July is Michigan Craft Beer Month!
Last night while the Michigan House of Representatives was working late, HR 140 was adopted by the House, officially designating July 2007 has Michigan Craft Beer Month!
Here is the complete resolution as adopted by the Michigan House of Representatives:
Reps. Warren, Byrnes, Gaffney, Tobocman, Wojno, Gillard, Alma Smith, Meadows,
Clemente, Griffin, LeBlanc, Coulouris, Bauer, Melton, Young, Mayes, Sheltrown, Farrah, Lindberg, Lahti, Bieda, Angerer, Virgil Smith, Corriveau, Condino, Hansen, Johnson, Hammel, Hammon, Kathleen Law, Moss, Hune, Wenke, Hildenbrand, Horn, Palsrok, Huizenga, Meisner, Dean, Pavlov, Donigan, Valentine, Hood, Byrum, Accavitti, Ball, Constan, Cushingberry, Gonzales, Hopgood, Robert Jones, Leland, Lemmons, McDowell, Nitz, Polidori, Proos, Spade and Vagnozzi offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 140.
A resolution designating July 2007 as Michigan Craft Beer Month and commending the Michigan Craft Brewers.
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers are a vibrant affirmation and expression of Michigan entrepreneurial traditions, operating as community-based small businesses and providing employment for more than 1000 workers; and
Whereas, Michigan has craft brewers in every region of the state and more than 70 craft brewers statewide; and
Whereas, The Michigan Brewers Guild is celebrating its 10 year anniversary of its
Michigan Summer Beer Festival this July; and
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers support Michigan agriculture by purchasing beet sugar, cherries, and apples grown in Michigan; and
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers promote Michigan’s spirit of independence through a renaissance in hand-crafted beers like those first brought to Michigan by European settlers and produced here by our forefathers, including Bernhard Stroh, for the enjoyment of the citizenry; and
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers strive to educate legal drinking-age residents about the differences in beer flavor, aroma, color, alcohol content, body, and other complex variables, as well as historic brewing traditions, beer history, and gastronomic qualities of beer; and
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers champion the message of responsible enjoyment to their customers and work within their communities to prevent alcohol abuse and underage drinking; and
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers produce more than 100 distinct styles of flavorful beers, the quality and diversity of which have made Michigan the envy of many beer-drinking states, thereby contributing to balanced trade by reducing Michigan dependence on imported and other regional beers, supporting Michigan exports, and promoting Michigan tourism; and
Whereas, Michigan craft brewers are vested in the future, health, and welfare of their communities as employers providing a diverse array of quality local jobs, as contributors to the local tax base, and as committed sponsors of a broad range of vital community institutions and philanthropic causes, including non-for-profit housing development associations, chambers of commerce, humane societies, athletic teams, and medical research; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body designate July 2007 as Michigan Craft Beer Month as a celebration of the contributions that Michigan craft brewers have made to the state’s communities, economy, and history; and be it further
Resolved, That we commend Michigan craft brewers for providing jobs, improving the balance of trade, supporting Michigan agriculture, and educating residents about the history and culture of beer while promoting the responsible consumption of beer as a beverage of moderation.