07-19-2003

03LR08 - July 19, 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)

#03LR08 - THE LEADERS' REPORT - Ride With The LeadersTM - July 19, 2003

TO: The Leaders of the American Motorcyclists' Rights Movement

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

PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM . . . Salutes this month go to ABATE of Pennsylvania. After decades of persistence, skill and hard work, ABATE has made rider freedom a reality in the Keystone State. The bill that Governor Ed Rendell signed into law July 6 passed the Senate 29 to 20 and the House 118 to 79 - impressive margins.

For those who keep up the struggle and get frustrated from time to time, take heart: adult choice is the law in Pennsylvania because of grassroots action that is not only vigorous, but sustained over many years. Special congratulations go to Charlie Umbenhauer, ABATE of Pennsylvania State Lobbyist. One example of Charlie's handiwork: when opponents of the legislation staged a press conference late in the legislative process, he coordinated an impressive plan to counter any adverse impact.

RESCUING HEALTH CARE . . . With over 110 co-sponsors, H.R. 1749 (which restores health care benefits for injured riders in employer-provided health care programs) edges closer to victory with every passing day. Special thanks this week goes to "Radio" Bob Letourneau and the New Hampshire Motorcyclists' Rights Organization for persuading U.S. Reps. Jeb Bradley and Charles Bass to sign on as co-sponsors. NHMRO's contribution will have an extraordinarily positive impact as the companion measure is examined by the U.S. Senate.

The MRF has identified members of Congress in some 19 states whose support of H.R. 1749 is, in our view, critical to success of the measure. The positions held by these particular Congressmen - in committee structures and in Congress generally - will brighten the prospects of passage of this crucial legislation. We will be contacting those SMROs in the coming days to urge a joint effort and coordinate action.

YOUR NEW OFFICE AWAITS YOU . . . The MRF has moved and we are now up and, for the most part, running. Your new offices in the nation's capitol are brighter, bigger and better than ever. Best of all, we are just a few blocks from the Hart Senate Office Building, hence closer to the action in Congress. Yes, Bev and I are still in the open-box-remove-contents-organize mode, but things are coming together. Believe me, these new digs will make your D.C. experience better than ever. Thanks for your understanding during the move - and for your membership and support which made this move possible.

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.


The MRF Reports is an official publication of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. The print version is published six times per year and distributed nationwide.

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