W maju 1964 roku amerykański kongres ogłosił bourbona jako oryginalnie amerykański trunek (America’s native spirit), ustanawiając jednocześnie jego ochronę. Po latach prohibicji i polityki antyalkoholowej był to pierwszy ważny akt prawny (poza samym zniesieniem prohibicji) otwierający drogę dla nowoczesnego myślenia o bourbonie, wyraźnie wspierający producentów alkoholu, ale też podkreślający rolę trunku w historii i gospodarce USA. Akt prawny jednocześnie rozciągał ochronę nad określeniem „bourbon whiskey”. Oryginalny dokument rezolucji przez lata przechowywany w Archiwum Narodowym w Waszyngtonie, teraz prezentowany jest publicznie w kolebce bourbon whiskey, Louisville, w The Frazier History Museum.
Oto pełen tekst rezolucji:
BOURBON WHISKEY DESIGNATED AS DISTINCTIVE [S. Con. Res. 19] PRODUC T O F U.S.
Whereas it has been the commercial policy of the United States to recognize marks of origin applicable to alcoholic beverages imported into the United States; and
Whereas such commercial policy has been implemented by the promulgation of appropriate regulations which, among other things, establish standards of identity for such imported alcoholic beverages; and
Whereas among the standards of identity which have been established are those for „Scotch whisky” as a distinctive product of Scotland, manufactured in Scotland in compliance with the laws of Great Britain regulating the manufacture of Scotch whisky for consumption in Great Britain and for „Canadian whisky” as a distinctive product of Canada manufactured in Canada in compliance with the laws of the Dominion of Canada regulating the manufacture of whisky for consumption in Canada and for „cognac” as grape brandy distilled in the Cognac region of France, which is entitled to be so designated by the laws and regulations of the French Government; and
Whereas „Bourbon whiskey” is a distinctive product of the United States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether foreign or domestic; and
Whereas to be entitled to the designation „Bourbon whiskey” the product must conform to the highest standards and must be manufactured in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States which prescribe a standard of identity for „Bourbon whiskey”; and
Whereas Bourbon whiskey has achieved recognition and acceptance throughout the world as a distinctive product of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved hy the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring). That it is the sense of Congress that the recognition of Bourbon whiskey as a distinctive product of the United States be brought to the attention of the appropriate agencies of the United States Government toward the end that such agencies will take appropriate action to prohibit the importation into the United States of whisky designated as „Bourbon whiskey”.
Agreed to May 4, 1964.
