[Mrfnews] 08LR09 - Leaders Report- May

[mrfnews at mrf.org]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
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For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations
Email: jeff at mrf.org

May 2, 2008

Secretary Mary Peters officially rang in May as motorcycle safety month
Thursday morning in Washington DC with an official event at the base of
the US Capitol, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports. Alongside her
were the chairs of the US House Motorcycle Safety Caucus Reps Burgess
(R-TX) and Giffords (D-AZ).  There were a few different types of
motorcycles on hand to make for a nice photo op. However due to a one-two
punch of a driving rain and urgent votes on the House floor, the event was
cut short.

The message to motorists was clear though even if the skies were not, May
is the beginning of the riding season for a good portion of the country
and many motorists are still groggy from the long winter and not used to
seeing motorcyclists out on the road. Therefore start talking about
motorcycles and getting the word out to share the road. Another message
was clear too; motorcycles are here to stay and with gas prices and the
state of the economy expect to see more two wheelers everyday.

Michael Burgess had some of the best quotes though, as he shared some
stories of his first $300 motorcycle as a youngster and how much he
enjoyed the freedom. "I love the sound of a motorcycle in the morning, it
sounds like freedom!" said the congressman. He also had some advice on
riding safe. "As a medical doctor and as a motorcyclist, you do not want
to be involved in a motorcycle crash of any kind." We at the MRF could not
agree more on both counts with the Congressman.

Secretary Mary Peters had her prop helmet on hand that was damaged in a
collision a few years ago with her riding partner who also happens to be
her husband. She proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Month and then
extolled the virtues of the 2010 funds, and the Motorcycle Advisory
Council. She then gave a short commercial for her proposed legislation to
raid the 2010 SAFE TEA LU funds defending her position saying she's not
for helmet requirement, just helmet use promotion.

Gabrielle Giffords arrived in a fancy alpinestars-esque leather riding
jacket lending an atmosphere of motorcycle cool to the event. She
mentioned her House Resolution (HRes 339) that supports the goals of a
motorcycle safety month.  That resolution is likely to be passed by the US
House in the next few weeks. The MRF will keep you informed on that
legislation. Representative Giffords owns 3 motorcycles so she can wear
that leather just about any where.

You should be familiar with Representatives Burgess and Giffords as the
two of them just happen to be the lead sponsors on the HIPAA loophole fix
legislation in the House (HR 1076). Burgess made some extensive remarks
about the bill saying its "high time to close this loophole once and for
all".

The MSF and AMA also gave some brief remarks and the MIC did a fantastic
job of organizing and coordinating a top notch event.


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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.