MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
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Suite 510
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice
President of Government Relations
Email: jeff@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.