MRF Stuff

[Big Tom]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)

Right to Repair Bill Introduced in US House

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports that the U.S. House of Representatives has re-introduced legislation that would return the right to repair to the vehicle owner instead of the original manufacturer.
Thanks go to Rep Ed Towns, D-NY who introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) into the 110th Congress. Joining Rep Towns
as original co-sponsors were Reps G.K. Butterfield, D-NC; Anna Eshoo, D-CA; Steven LaTourette, R-OH; George Miller, D-CA and James Moran, D-VA.

The need for right to repair legislation has become apparent due to the increasing use of computers and electronics that control nearly every motor vehicle function from fuel delivery, braking, lighting, and
emissions to entertainment. Although computers provide many benefits to motorists through improved fuel efficiency, comfort and safety, they also
provide increasing opportunities for motor vehicle manufacturing companies to lock out access by car owners and the independent repair shops where
owners choose to obtain service for their vehicles. HR 2694 would require that car companies provide full access to all tools and service information needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive
playing field between dealers and independent repair shops.

HR 2694 is similar to last years measure (HR 2048); however some differences exist between the two bills. This year's legislation had to take into account several factors, including the new leadership in
Congress and Committees. In addition, although sponsored by the sitting Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) last Congress,
HR 2048 barely limped out of subcommittee and failed to be taken up by the full committee or the House floor.

Dealing with the new Chairman John Dingell (D-OH), who has been extremely outspoken against this bill, is certainly a challenge. Dingell, who has
defended Detroit manufacturing against the environmental lobby for decades, has had a change of heart. Now that the Motor City isn't the vast field of smoke stacks it once was, that change may be sincere. As the newest environmentalist, perhaps Dingell can understand that a well-tuned and maintained vehicle gets higher mpgs, is therefore better for the environment, and we should be removing barriers to convenient and proper vehicle maintenance.

HR 2694 now has eleven co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce committee. No Senate legislation has been introduced as of press time. The MRF encourages you to contact your Federal
Representative and ask them to co sponsor HR 2694. As always, the MRF will keep you posted on any developments.
Jeff Hennie

[hornrocker]

Thanks for the info Tom!

[Big Tom]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)



MEETING OF THE MINDS IS ONE MONTH AWAY

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) annual Meeting of the Minds (MOTM) is less than one month away. Now is the time to start thinking about tuning the bike and your mind for the trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa from September 20-23. MOTM will cover a host of new and current information from around the globe as it pertains to all things motorcyclists' rights. And in addition to the MRF's overview of issues
affecting us here in the U.S., there will be representation from the European Union (EU) and our friendly neighbors to the north in Canada.
The Canadians and Europeans will cover a wide variety of topics, some so seemingly restrictive that you will once again be shaking your head and thinking, "I will never let that happen in my country or state!"

This year's MOTM conference begins on Thursday evening with a "Meet the Board" mixer and networking session where all State Motorcyclists' Rights Organization (SMRO) spokespeople present are asked to give a quick rundown on the states of their States. Friday and Saturday are packed with general sessions and smaller breakout groups where the topics run the gamut of motorcyclists' rights. Saturday evening closes the bulk of the MOTM's motorcyclists' rights symposium with an always lively banquet and fundraiser auction.

MOTM also offers a few lighter-hearted events and PAC fundraisers, and one that is surely not to be missed is the tug-o-war between the bikers in bib overalls versus the classier and arguably leaner and meaner group – bikers
in kilts. Sorry my bibbed brethren, but I've got to go with the kilted on this one.

Interested parties should register soon for the MRF's Meeting of the Minds, the world's premier motorcyclists' rights conference. You can get more information, print out a preliminary agenda, and register on-line through the MRF's website at www.mrf.org. ; Hotel rooms are filling up
quickly so don't delay reserving your room. Be sure to mention that you are attending the MRF's Meeting of the Minds and ask for the conference rate when you reserve your hotel room.

MOTORCYCLIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE EXITS RACE

Tommy Thompson recently announced his plans to drop out of the race for the Republican endorsement for President of the United States of America. Thompson seemed well suited to advance further with his conservative Midwestern roots and family values approach to politics, but timing and
funding were not on his side. Thompson has served at a Presidential cabinet-level position as Secretary for Health and Human Services. Before that he was Governor of Wisconsin, where his trademark phrase about the dairy state was, "Where Eagles soar, Packers score and Harleys roar."

Thompson finished sixth at the Iowa straw poll a few weeks back, and he made it very clear from early on that if he did not secure a first or second place finish in the Republican popularity contest, he would end his race then and there. Thompson held a ride into Ames, Iowa as part of his organized campaign events. A very serious rider himself, Thompson
routinely takes a couple-thousand-mile trip during the summers.

MRF Vice President of Government Relations Jeff Hennie said, "Thompson, who has a firm grasp of the challenges and joys that every motorcycle rider experiences, is a seasoned political veteran with a positive legacy going strong. I don't think we have seen the last of Tommy Thompson." We
at the MRF wish Tommy good luck in his future endeavors and his return to the private sector. We suspect he will have a little more time for riding these days and we hope he enjoys it.


================================================== ========
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit
http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php

Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php
or call 1-202-546-0983

Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds
conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for
further details and registration information.

Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist
Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit
http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.

Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members
and non-MRF members.

(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.

[Big Tom]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)

U.S. House of Representatives Forms Motorcycle Safety Caucus

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that the U.S. House of
Representatives recently formed the first official motorcycle safety
caucus. The group is open to all sitting U.S. Representatives and will
focus only on motorcycle safety, and more specifically what Congress can
do to support motorcycle safety.

The caucus does not have any funding from the government, nor does it have
office space, official staff or anything else designated for official
committees of Congress. In other words, this group was created simply
because the co-chairs thought it was time to address this important issue
and dedicate precious staff time toward the cause. The caucus is
co-chaired by Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and Michael Burgess (R-TX). Mrs.
Giffords is a freshman member of Congress and an avid motorcyclist
herself. Mr. Burgess is a longtime supporter of motorcyclists, most
notably as one of the lead sponsors on the legislation to close the
discriminatory HIPAA loophole (HR 1076).

Congressman Burgess had this to say about his role with the group, "As
co-chair of this first of its kind caucus, I look forward to working with
motorcyclists across the country as we address important motorcycle
safety, education and awareness issues."

"We are pleased that Congress is searching for ways to assist the
organizations like the MRF and motorcyclists nationwide in continuing to
improve motorcycle safety and awareness," said Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice
President of Government Relations. "All of the motorcyclists of this
country owe the co-chairs of this important new caucus a debt of gratitude
for drawing attention to these important issues, and the MRF looks forward
to working with them."

This isn't the first time Congress has addressed motorcycle safety. The
most recent highway bill, SAFE-TEA-LU (PL 109-59), contained a generous
4-year / $25 million grant program, as well as funding for a comprehensive
motorcycle crash causation study. The grant program, initially authored by
the MRF and state motorcyclists' rights organizations across the country,
is the first of its kind in history. The crash study is a follow up to
the Hurt report, a 27-year-old study named for its author.

Congresswoman Giffords went on the record as a serious motorcyclist
saying, "I have enjoyed riding motorcycles for many years. One day, I
hope to fulfill my dream of going by motorcycle to Argentina. Those of us
who ride know that it is an incredibly enjoyable way to travel." She
continued, "We know from national studies that in almost two-thirds of
fatal car/motorcycle crashes, the fault was with the driver of the car.
We can do more to address this critical problem, and public education is a
key to bringing about awareness and a reduction in such accidents."

Please connect with your U.S. Representative and ask him/her to join the
motorcycle safety caucus today. They can officially join by contacting
either of the co-chairs' Washington DC offices.

[Big Tom]

11/13/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael "Boz" Kerr, MRF Vice-President
boz@mrf.org (e-mail)

Congressmen Filner, Kirk, Kuhl, Wamp and Walberg to attend MRF press
conference

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to announce that several
members of the United States Congress will be attending our scheduled
press conference in Washington on November 15.

The following congressman have committed to attending:

Congressman Bob Filner (CA-51st) Chairman, House Committee on Veterans
Affairs

Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10th) Committee on Appropriations

Congressman Randy Kuhl (NY-29th) Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure

Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-7th) Committee on Education and Labor

Congressman Zack Wamp (TN-3rd) Committee on Appropriations

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is extremely pleased to have this
distinguished group of statesmen join us in discussing with the nation's
press the shortcomings of the National Transportation Safety Board's
(NTSB) recommendations on motorcycle safety of September 11, 2007.

The press conference will be held on the United States Capitol grounds in
Washington DC. The exact location is the Cannon House Office Building,
Room 121. Starting time is 9:15 am EST.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will also be discussing our efforts to
seek congressional support to stop the NTSB from using taxpayer dollars to
pressure states into enacting mandatory helmet laws. In addition we will
be announcing to the press that we will be presenting a formal letter to
the NTSB asking them to reconsider their recommendations that states enact
mandatory helmet laws for motorcycle riders.

Many State Motorcyclist Rights Organization members are in Washington this
week to lobby their own congressional delegations, in addition to
attending the conference.

All motorcyclists are invited to attend this event. In addition the MRF is
extending an invitation to all concerned Americans.

Michael Kerr

MRF Vice President

================================================== ========
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit
http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php

Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php
or call 1-202-546-0983

Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds
conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for
further details and registration information.

Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist
Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit
http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.

Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members
and non-MRF members.

(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.