03-31-2003

03LR04 - March 31, 2003

MRF LEADERS' REPORT
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
P.O. Box 1808
Washington, DC 20013-1808
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
wyld@mrf.org (e-mail)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

#03LR04 - THE LEADERS' REPORT - Ride With The LeadersTM - March 31, 2003

TO: The Leaders of the American Motorcyclists' Rights Movement

FROM: Tom Wyld, VP-Government Relations, Motorcycle Riders Foundation

SHOCK AND AWE...This month, street motorcyclists wrote a new chapter in the history of the motorcyclists' rights movement in America when more than 80 riders visited the nation's capitol to lobby for safety and freedom. Representing a dozen State Motorcyclists' Rights Organizations (SMROs), the riders joined the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) to visit more than 150 Members of Congress and their staffs in just five weeks!

PROGRESS ON ALL FRONTS...This unprecedented wave of activism was propelled primarily by word that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be weeks away from finalizing its proposed rulemaking on street motorcycles. While the EPA issue dominated the talks with lawmakers, riders also made progress in advancing the joint MRF-SMRO agenda (see www.mrf.org/TEA-03.php) for the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21) and also with S. 423 - "The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act."

BUS TRIP RIDES AGAIN...Years ago, a bus trip to Washington, DC brought together SMROs of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma ("MAKO"). That trip led to the formation of the groundbreaking Mid-South M.I.L.E. legislative action seminar. A few years ago, Texas joined the other Mid-South M.I.L.E. states, hence the new acronym "MAKOT." "Bus Trip Two" was the groundbreaker this month, bringing some 40 riders to DC representing Freedom of Road Riders (Missouri), ABATE of Arkansas, ABATE of Kansas, ABATE of Oklahoma and the Texas Motorcyclists' Rights Association. Both the MRF and the AMA briefed the "Bus Trip Two" riders on their agendas and accompanied the SMROs on several Congressional visits. Our thanks to the Mid-South M.I.L.E. family and to the SMROs who made it all possible.

MORE STATES, MORE ACTION...Waves of other states also rolled into town for this five-week blitz, including ABATE of Michigan, ABATE of Illinois (on two occasions!), ABATE of Alaska, ABATE of Wisconsin, ABATE of Oregon, ABATE of Minnesota and ABATE of Ohio. Also, leaders of ABATE of Virginia crossed the Potomac this month for an important short-notice meeting.

MAJOR INITIATIVES AHEAD...Every one of our 150-plus meetings is yielding some form of support for our cause - from members of Congress endorsing our health care remedy, to those who support our TEA-03 initiatives, to others working closely with us to develop a new tactic on the EPA front. New initiatives are gaining shape with every passing day. In concert with the SMROs, we are putting the finishing touches on these initiatives now. Stay tuned!

CAMARADERIE AND COMMITMENT...Many thanks to ABATE/CMRO (Ohio) for inviting me to their seminar this past weekend, and to Freedom of Road Riders (Missouri) for letting me speak to their central committee meeting earlier this month.

EXPOSE YOURSELF AT THE BEAST...I look forward to seeing all of you at the BEAST of the East conference in a few weeks in Portland, Maine as we expose ourselves to the many issues we face in the months ahead. Don't forget that the deadline for pre-registration for the conference, as well as hotel reservations, is April 1! Visit www.mrf.org/events.php for conference registration and reservation information.

Yours for the right to ride, and your friend,

Tom

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(c)All Information contained in this report 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.


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