[Mrfnews] 07LR11 - Leaders Report- August

[mrfnews at mrf.org]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
jeff at mrf.org (e-mail)



MEETING OF THE MINDS IS ONE MONTH AWAY

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) annual Meeting of the Minds
(MOTM) is less than one month away.  Now is the time to start thinking
about tuning the bike and your mind for the trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa
from September 20-23.  MOTM will cover a host of new and current
information from around the globe as it pertains to all things
motorcyclists' rights.  And in addition to the MRF's overview of issues
affecting us here in the U.S., there will be representation from the
European Union (EU) and our friendly neighbors to the north in Canada. 
The Canadians and Europeans will cover a wide variety of topics, some so
seemingly restrictive that you will once again be shaking your head and
thinking, "I will never let that happen in my country or state!"

This year's MOTM conference begins on Thursday evening with a "Meet the
Board" mixer and networking session where all State Motorcyclists' Rights
Organization (SMRO) spokespeople present are asked to give a quick rundown
on the states of their States.  Friday and Saturday are packed with
general sessions and smaller breakout groups where the topics run the
gamut of motorcyclists' rights.  Saturday evening closes the bulk of the
MOTM's motorcyclists' rights symposium with an always lively banquet and
fundraiser auction.

MOTM also offers a few lighter-hearted events and PAC fundraisers, and one
that is surely not to be missed is the tug-o-war between the bikers in bib
overalls versus the classier and arguably leaner and meaner group – bikers
in kilts.  Sorry my bibbed brethren, but I've got to go with the kilted on
this one.

Interested parties should register soon for the MRF's Meeting of the
Minds, the world's premier motorcyclists' rights conference.  You can get
more information, print out a preliminary agenda, and register on-line
through the MRF's website at www.mrf.org.  Hotel rooms are filling up
quickly so don't delay reserving your room.  Be sure to mention that you
are attending the MRF's Meeting of the Minds and ask for the conference
rate when you reserve your hotel room.

MOTORCYCLIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE EXITS RACE

Tommy Thompson recently announced his plans to drop out of the race for
the Republican endorsement for President of the United States of America. 
Thompson seemed well suited to advance further with his conservative
Midwestern roots and family values approach to politics, but timing and
funding were not on his side.  Thompson has served at a Presidential
cabinet-level position as Secretary for Health and Human Services.  Before
that he was Governor of Wisconsin, where his trademark phrase about the
dairy state was, "Where Eagles soar, Packers score and Harleys roar."

Thompson finished sixth at the Iowa straw poll a few weeks back, and he
made it very clear from early on that if he did not secure a first or
second place finish in the Republican popularity contest, he would end his
race then and there.  Thompson held a ride into Ames, Iowa as part of his
organized campaign events.  A very serious rider himself, Thompson
routinely takes a couple-thousand-mile trip during the summers.

MRF Vice President of Government Relations Jeff Hennie said, "Thompson,
who has a firm grasp of the challenges and joys that every motorcycle
rider experiences, is a seasoned political veteran with a positive legacy
going strong.  I don't think we have seen the last of Tommy Thompson."  We
at the MRF wish Tommy good luck in his future endeavors and his return to
the private sector.  We suspect he will have a little more time for riding
these days and we hope he enjoys it.


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further details and registration information.

Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist
Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit
http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.

Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members
and non-MRF members.

(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction
permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated
in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights
organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists'
rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC,
the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted
exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early
1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause
of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the
very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading
members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and
regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public
awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights
organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional
and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as
well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.