02-16-2004

04LR01 - February 16, 2004

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

#04LR01 - MRF LEADERS' REPORT - Ride With The LeadersTM - February 16, 2004

TO: The Leaders of the American Motorcyclists' Rights Movement

ABATE of Colorado, at the request of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), is seeking help for Senate Resolution 168, "Designating May 2004 as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month." Senator Campbell's goal is to have this resolution passed in the Senate for the next three years, then move it as a joint resolution, at which time (if it passes) it would be signed into permanent law. In order for a resolution such as S.R. 168 to pass, about 20 members from each side of the aisle would need to sign on. So far, the only other sponsor is Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO), also from Colorado. ABATE of Colorado and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) are asking motorcyclists nationwide to contact their U.S. Senators and ask them to co-sponsor Senator Campbell's S.R. 168. Please have your Senators contact Larry Vigil at 202-224-5852 to sign on as co-sponsors of S.R. 168.

Lynn Oldenburg, MRF Board Member from Maryland, will be working full-time in the MRF's DC office beginning Monday, February 16th. Lynn has been involved with the MRF and motorcyclists' rights for many years, and will be helping with office activities on a temporary basis until a new MRF Government Relations Specialist and Office Manager are found.

Just a reminder, the BEAST of the East will be held April 30-May 2 at the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua, NY. This event, hosted by ABATE of New York, will be a great opportunity for learning and networking. Bill Cox and the people of ABATE of New York have planned an event that is sure to recharge your batteries! Conference registration for BEAST of the East should be made prior to March 29, 2004. This will assure you get the pre-registration rate of $60 for MRF members and $70 for non-MRF members. After March 29 the registration fee will increase to $70 for MRF members and $80 for non-MRF members. Again this year we will offer the $100 per chapter/district rate for BEAST of the East and BEST of the West. You can register for all of the MRF's 2004 conferences at www.mrf.org/events.php or by calling the MRF's DC office at 202-546-0983. Hotel reservations for BEAST of the East must be made (800-228-2801) prior to March 29, 2004 to obtain our special rate. The hotel will only hold our room block until this date. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Carol Downs, MRF Director of Events and Conferences, at downs@mrf.org.

At the February Board of Directors meeting, the MRF Board approved the creation of the MRFPAC Committee, signaling the MRF's intent to increase MRFPAC visibility and revenue. Previously, MRFPAC growth has been primarily limited to one major annual fundraising event: MRF's Meeting of The Minds. With the creation of this new committee, the MRFPAC will now receive full-time attention. Michael "Boz" Kerr, Chair of ABATE of Illinois FEDPAC, is the new Chairman of the MRFPAC and has joined the MRF Board as an Assistant to the Board (boz@mrf.org). Also serving on the MRFPAC Committee: Chuc Coulter, Idaho (Treasurer); Ken Ray, Oregon; Steve Zimmer, Ohio; and Dave Dwyer, Wisconsin. Any MRF Member can make a request for an MRFPAC expenditure by contacting mrfpac@mrf.org. The MRFPAC cannot contribute to state races or candidates.

The MRF Board of Directors is also pleased to announce the addition of JD DePaolantonio as Assistant Director of Communications. JD's primary responsibilities will include assisting with maintaining the MRF website and e-mail distribution, as well as providing technical expertise in a number of other computer-related capacities. You can reach JD at jd@mrf.org.

Kirk "Hardtail" Willard and Dave Dwyer recently attended both the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati and the Indianapolis Dealer Expo/Big Twin 2004 East at the invitation of Brett Smith, President of S&S, to work with him and other key aftermarket players on the EPA issue. Discussions included the impact of the recent EPA rule on the aftermarket industry. In Cincinnati, Hardtail and Dave addressed the EFI Seminar (Electronic Fuel Injection Seminar) of roughly 300 attendees regarding the recently-finalized EPA rule.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has extended invitations to the MRF, American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) to attend the MSF's next Board of Trustees Meeting in Irvine, CA. on March 17th. Karen Bolin and Jay Jackson will be representing the MRF. The MRF considers this a positive development in opening lines of communication between motorcyclists' rights activists and the MSF.

The MRF is seeking a qualified Government Relations Specialist to represent the MRF in Washington, D.C. A position description and application information is now posted on the MRF web site at: www.mrf.org/applicants.php. A selection committee has been formed to review all applicants and fill the position. Serving on the Selection Committee: Karen Bolin, Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, Dave Dwyer, Jay Jackson, Rep. Bob LeTourneau and Mike "Boz" Kerr.

Nominations are now being accepted for the John "Farmer" Eggers Award to be presented at the 20th Annual Meeting of The Minds in St. Louis. This award is the most prestigious given by the MRF in recognition, respect and gratitude to an individual who has offered extraordinary support to the MRF and motorcyclists' rights. Current and former MRF board members are not eligible to receive this award. Nominations should be sent to Karen Bolin at karen@mrf.org or Mark Buckner at buckner@mrf.org.

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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.


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.

Articles from the MRF Reports which are posted here may be reprinted, with attribution to the author and to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, for non-profit uses.

Opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation or its officers.
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