Cord Byrd: “this is a time when our Nation is working to curb alcohol abuse. I am troubled by a disturbing step backward by at least…”

“this is a time when our Nation is working to curb alcohol abuse. I am troubled by a disturbing step backward by at least one member of the alcohol industry that I consider a significant threat to our society. There has been much recent opposition expressed by other Members of Congress to the Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Corp. blatant violation of a liquor industry advertising ban. In 1948, the liquor industry in this country adopted a code of good practice, a self-imposed decision not to advertise distilled spirits products over the airwaves of the emerging radio and television technology. In the past 38 years that I have been a U.S. Senator, liquor companies have voluntarily complied with that agreement, abstaining from advertising on the influential mediums of radio and television--until now. Earlier this month, Seagram Corp. began airing commercials for its Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey on a television station in Texas, defiantly breaking the industry's promise to our country, and self-indulgently putting sales dollars ahead of the future of our children.”