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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING CRAFT SPIRITS WEEK 2020
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HON. PETER WELCH
of vermont
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 26, 2020
Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today during Craft Spirits Week to
show my support for the more than 2,000 craft distilleries across the
United States that support our vibrant tourism and hospitality
industries, countless jobs, local farmers and manufacturers, and the
larger economy. Vermont is home to a few of these companies and they
are a wonderful addition to our vibrant tourism economy.
Recent events surrounding COVID-19 have put an unprecedented burden
on our craft distillers. According to a survey conducted by the
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and American Distilling
Institute, approximately 43 percent of distillery employees have been
let go or furloughed since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, bringing
the average number of a respondent's employees from 14 down to 8. On
average, distilleries reported a 64 percent sales decline. Two-thirds
of respondents did not believe they will be able to sustain their
businesses for more than 6 months, while almost half did not anticipate
being able to sustain their businesses for more than 3 months.
Many were forced to close their doors to the public, but instead of
closing shop entirely, craft distillers in every single state altered
their business plans to help address the nationwide shortage of hand
sanitizer. In the greatest time of need, craft distillers showed up for
their fellow Americans without hesitation with many even donating their
products to first responders. In Vermont, our distilleries pivoted
quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and even provided sanitizer to
businesses and domestic violence shelters.
The economic hardships caused by this pandemic have been immediate
and will last well beyond the end of COVID. The losses they have
suffered over the last couple of months can never be fully recouped.
That is why we need to come together to support these local businesses.
These businesses don't operate in a vacuum, but in an ecosystem that
support dozens of other businesses. The livelihoods of farmers, glass
bottle makers, truck drivers, warehouse workers, and countless others
connected to the hospitality and tourism industries are also
compromised by the challenges confronting the distilled spirits
industry. With distilleries located in every state in the nation, this
should cause great concern for each member of Congress.
I urge all my colleagues to take time to visit with and talk to the
distillers in their districts to show their support for these small
businesses during Craft Spirits Week. Distillers, like other
businesses, need our support during this time. I look forward to
working with my colleagues as well to support distillers and those in
the hospitality sector who have been significantly impacted by the
COVID-19 crisis.
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