Speaker of the House John Boehner Honored by Beer Industry

Accepts the Jeff Becker Award on Brewers’ Day

WASHINGTON, DC – The Beer Institute, representing America’s brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers, awarded Speaker of the House and Ohio Congressman John Boehner the 2013 Jeff Becker Beer Industry Service Award for his continued commitment to the beer industry and American beer drinkers.

Speaker Boehner accepted the award from Brenda Becker, the widow of longtime Beer Institute President Jeff Becker, during a reception at the Capitol Visitor Center. Boehner was honored as part of the Beer Institute’s annual Brewers’ Day gathering.

“Speaker Boehner has been an advocate for fair taxes, for both business and for taxpayers,” said Joe McClain, president of the Beer Institute. “Since he arrived in Congress more than 20 years ago, Speaker Boehner has shown the kind of leadership that we in the beer industry appreciate. The Jeff Becker award recognizes Speaker Boehner’s friendship to both the industry and to the American beer drinker.”

“Jeff Becker was a personal friend of mine, and I am privileged to accept this award given in his honor – because Jeff really was an honorable and good man,” said Speaker John Boehner. “Brewers and beer importers fuel a national industry that supports jobs in my district and every district across the country. I’m proud to support hardworking Americans and stand up for fair policies for all consumers.”

The Jeff Becker Beer Industry Service Award is given annually to an individual who embodies Becker’s passion for the work he loved through his or her loyalty, dedication and outstanding efforts on behalf of the nation’s brewing industry – a business that employs more than 2 million Americans and creates more than $246.5 billion in annual economic activity.

For Brewers’ Day, CEOs and top executives from Beer Institute member companies, such as Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, HEINEKEN USA, Crown Imports and Brooklyn Brewery were in Washington, DC, to support the Brewers Excise and Economic Relief Act of 2013 (BEER Act), which would reduce excise taxes for all brewers and beer importers. They were joined by executives from beer industry supply chain partners Ball Corporation, Owens-Illinois, Inc., ITW Hi-Cone and John I. Haas, Inc.

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The Beer Institute, established in 1986, is the national trade association for the brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. The Institute is committed to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility: www.BeerInstitute.org.