R014-9900

10 				A RESOLUTION CONCERNING 

20 			REDUCTION OF THE NATIONAL DRINKING AGE



30   WHEREAS:	Congress has deemed that, at the age of 18, American citizens are mature

40 		enough to lay down their lives in defense of the freedoms upon which this

50 		country is based; and,



60   WHEREAS:	Congress has further deemed that, at the age of 18, American citizens are 

70 		mature enough to select who shall represent them in government; and,



80   WHEREAS:	At the age of 18, many American citizens, in their role as taxpayers, have

90 		contributed a significant portion of their earnings to the funding of government;

100 		and,



110  WHEREAS:	Citizenship has its responsibilities as well as its privileges.  There is no logical 

120		argument which can support the phenomenon of an American being held wholly 

130		accountable to these responsibilities, while being denies the full privileges of 

140		citizenship; and,



150  WHEREAS:	Without context of age, such a position is even more ludicrous.  It is, in fact, 

160		hypocrisy; and,



170  WHEREAS:	A contrasting argument is based on morals.  Moral repugnance of the freedom to 

180		drink led to Prohibition.  Consequentially, the range of privileges granted to all

190		citizens was abridged, regardless of age.  History documents the subsequent 

200		results.



210  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Maryland Student Legislature urges the 

220		Congress of the United States to reduce the national drinking age to 18.



230  MANDATES: 	Speaker of the House Dennis Hartert

240		House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt









Sponsor:

Michael Schoen

University of Maryland at College Park

7201 Princeton Ave. #11

College Park, MD 20740

(301) 779-5425

mschoen@wam.umd.edu