Lucille Roybal-Allard: “Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act is an opportunity for this House to make…”

“Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act is an opportunity for this House to make a historic commitment to the well-being of our children and our Nation. I extend my sincere thanks to my colleagues, Frank Wolf, Tom Osborne, Zach Wamp, Rosa DeLauro for their original cosponsorship of my bill. Their commitment and steadfast efforts throughout the years have helped to make possible today's consideration of this significant piece of legislation. I particularly want to acknowledge the efforts of Congressman Osborne. Passage of the STOP Act would be an important part of his legacy as he retires from Congress at the end of this session. Tom, I wish you well, and I thank you for being a champion on behalf of our children. I also thank Senators DeWine and Dodd for sponsoring the companion bill in the Senate. I thank the public health groups, especially MADD, CAMY, CSPI and CADCA for working with me over 10 years on this critical issue. Their advocacy has raised the level of awareness in Congress and throughout the Nation about our public health crisis of underage drinking, and I commend them for their efforts. I also thank the alcohol beverage industry for its efforts this year in support of the STOP Act.”