[Mrfnews] 07NR08 - MRF News - URGENT CALL TO ACTION

[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)

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation issues urgent call to action.

Washington DC July 23rd 2007 9:31 PM

The United States House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the
FY2008 Transportation, House and Urban Development Appropriations bill (HR
3074)  Tuesday July 24th 2007.  The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has
learned of a last minute attempt to eliminate the funding of the 2010
motorcycle safety grant program created in the last highway bill (PL
109-59).

Representative Jeb Henserling (R-TX) is the author of the amendment as
well as many many more all directed to eliminate funding for various
safety programs and other programs deemed by Heserling as unnecessary and
a waste of money. Henserling who is head of the ultra conservative House
caucus known as the Republican Study Committee routinely attempts to
eradicate funding for good programs. The RSC aims to keep the budget
balanced, fight off new taxes and advance the uber conservative Republican
agenda.

"A balanced budget and low taxes are both good things but Henserling
severely missed the mark when he chose to use the elimination of funding
for motorcycle safety awareness programs as the vehicle to bring down the
national debt" said Jeff Hennie Vice President of Government Relations for
the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. He added, "with motorcycle rider-ship
and fatalities both at all time highs; it's completely irresponsible for
Mr. Henserling to want to remove this much needed and wildly popular
safety grant program."

Not to mention the House Appropriations Committee has already had several
rounds of hearings and markups on this bill and then agreed to keep all of
the programs fully funded and to increase funding for some the very same
programs Henserling wants to cut.

In accordance with House rules, Henserling does not have to pre-print or
pre-file any of his amendments. He can simply go to the floor with his
amendment in hand and drop it on the desk of the clerk. Because of this no
amendment number is available as of press time.

In order to stop this amendment from passing the US House the MRF is
asking you to contact your Federal Representative as early on Tuesday,
July 24th, 2007 as you can. This bill could be considered as early as noon
EST on July 24, 2007.  Ask your Representative to vote no on the
Henserling amendment to remove funding ($6 million) for motorcyclist
safety to the FY2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Appropriations bill.

If you know who your Federal Representative is you can reach the US
Capitol switch board at 202 224 3121. You can identify your Federal
Representative at this website: http://www.house.gov/writerep/  It is
important to make a phone call this time, email will not be quick enough
to get the word out. Call early and call often.

The MRF will keep you informed on this issue as it develops.

Jeff Hennie


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(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.