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Congress Recognizes Wine Anniversary; Katrina Who?
Posted by wizeGurl
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[Mean People] |
 In August 2006, the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to a House resolution introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley), passing the resolution recognizing the significance of the Napa Valley victory at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, 30 years ago. House Concurrent Resolution 399 recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of those who created the winning wines and the many successes of the California wine industry in the intervening thirty years.
A similar resolution to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall failed to pass the House of Representatives--perhaps because it contained language suggesting that the government was committed to rebuilding New Orleans, only a year too late for most residents and business owners. (Better late than never, right? But then again, the non-binding resolution didn't pass.) |
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In 1976, the world of wine was astounded when two Napa Valley wines won a blind taste test held by leading French wine experts in Paris, France. The winning wines were the 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars SLV Napa Valley Cabernet and the 1973 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay. This event became known as the "Tasting Heard 'Round the World" and heralded the beginning of the rise to preeminence of California wines.
Today, California wines are enjoyed around the world and contribute more than $45 billion a year to the U.S. economy. Plus, they recently won a "rematch" putting the same wines head-to-head for another taste comparison.
"Like the finding of America, the discovery that the beautiful wines of the "New World Napa Valley" could stand together with some of the greatest standard bearers of France was like the opening of a new continent to explore everywhere," said Winiarski, maker of the winning Stag's Leap wine. "We are very proud to have the recognition of both houses of Congress and the Smithsonian Institute for the contribution our wine made in that tasting."
Now, we don't begrudge Napa Valley for wanting this important milestone acknowledged. It was important in many ways, and Congress has every right to honor this event in this way.
And some would say that the Katrina resolution didn't pass because it was introduced by Rep. William Jefferson, who besides representing many of the poor black residents of New Orleans, is under investigation for corruption charges. (Because failing to offer even a few kind words to those affected by Katrina will really show him, right?)
But seriously, folks. A $45 billion/year industry is impressive, but Katrina may have caused $125 billion worth of damage, and that doesn't even include the immeasurable costs in lives lost, ruined, and disrupted. To remember the first, but fail to remember the second only a year later, when the scars are still raw and unhealed for many, is a political gesture--or lack of one--that no amount of wine (or stronger liquor) can make us forget. |
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Details about the Napa resolution.
Details about the failed resolution to remember Katrina's victims...and the resolutions that did manage to pass before Congress recessed for the entire month of August, including resolutions expressing support for Hire a Veteran Week and National Bike Month, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and to designate the official American Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO, and to commemorate the 1946 season of Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Feller. |
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