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December 2002 WHAT’S INSIDE A.B.A.T.E. Chapter Reports . 4-16 Millennium Ride . 46 A.B.A.T.E. Membership (inside back cover) Cryptogram . 69 Mission Statement . 2 A.B.A.T.E. State Board Minutes . .17-18 Editor’s Page . 35 M.R.F. Application . 33 A.B.A.T.E. Officer List . 70 Education Director . .19 M.R.F. Report . 32 A.B.A.T.E. Products . 66-67 Gunny’s Sack . 27 N.C.O.M. Report . 43 A.C.T.S./O.D.O.T. Conference . 56 Helmet Stop Report . .68 Officer Reports . 19-26 Advertising Rates . 36 Historian . 21 Reader’s stories . 51 A.M.A. Column . 29 Legislative Director . 22 Run/Event Calander . 36 BikePAC Application . 59 Letters . 49 Run Fliers . 37-42 Change of Address . (inside back cover) Marginal Thinking . (throughout) Vice Coordinator--South . 25 Classified Ads . 69 Meeting Times/Places . .(back cover) Vice Coordinator--North . 50 page 2 A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon, Inc. Newsletter -- December 2002 Welcome to A.B.A.T.E. What We’re About A.B.A.T.E. is a not-for- President Gerald Ford on May 5, 1976. A Brief History Not bad for a rag tag bunch of bikers with profit organization of A.B.A.T.E. little or no previous political ambitions. As a result of our newfound political clout, In Oregon, A.B.A.T.E. stands for A Broth- motorcyclists have successfully approached erhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, ‘’You have to know where you’ve been to know Congress twice over the past few years, first which isn’t nearly as subvesive as it sounds. It where you’re going!’’ to grant federal protections against insurance means that we act as legislative watchdogs to discrimination based on mode of help ensure that any legislation affecting Easyriders magazine editor Lou Kimzey transportation because many companies were motorcycists is fair and that elected officials issued a plea in issue #3, October 1971, for denying medical benefits to employees are fully informed regarding motorcyclle is- bikers to come together to fight impending injured in motorcycle accidents. sues. restrictions from the Nationa Highway Then, [in the 1998] session, motorcyclists • We are not a motorcycle club or gang. Transportation Safety Administration united to put together a pro-active agenda Instead, A.B.A.T.E. is a not-for-profit orga- (N.H.T.S.A.) by joining a new national for bikers, and succeeded in lobbying it nization devoted to raising member and pub- biker’s rights organization called the National through Congress. lic awareness about motorcycle issues and Custom Cycle Association. But because of a So, there you have it. safety through education and community in- conflict with the acronym the name was The roots of A.B.A.T.E. and biker’s rights volvement. We also raise money for organi- changed in February 1972 to A Brotherhood run deep in the hearts of those of us who zations that represent motorcyclist’s concerns Against Totalitarian Enactments have accepted and, in turn, passed on the such as BikePAC. (A.B.A.T.E.). torch of Freedom of the Road. • It doesn’t matter what brand of bike you Easyriders began granting state charters ride on. around 1974, and Keith Ball was the original by Bill Bish We are not a manufacturer-specific organi- national coordinator. The biggest threat was Executive Coordinator, zation. All are welcome: bikes, trikes, on-road that the U.S. D.O.T. (Department of National Coalition of Motorcyclists or off, riders, passengers, or non-riders. Transportation) was investigating ways to A.B.A.T.E. of California • You don’t have to ride a motorcycle to be- restrict modified or customized ‘’choppers’’ ( reprinted with permission ) long to A.B.A.T.E. which they deemed unsafe, especially Many of our members just enjoy being extended forks. around motorcyclists. (We’re just that won- As the rights movement grew, Don Pittsley, A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon, Inc. derful.) And they feel that the social and leg- a member of the Huns Motorcycle Club in Newsletter islative issues we’re working on are important Connecticut convinced his congressman, P.O. Box 4504 to their community. Rep. Stewart Mckinney, to introduce Portland, ORegon 97208 So scan through our newsletter. If you like H.R.3869 to end the Federal authority to © 2002. All rights reserved. Portions may what you read, check out the Chapter Meet- withhold highway funds from states without be reprinted with attribution and ing listing on the back cover. Drop in on a helmet laws. individual’s copyright permission. meeting and see what we’re about. You just In July of 1975, Rob Rasor of the American Crusty ol’ editor -- Rot Path might find a new family in A.B.A.T.E. And Motorcyclist Association (A.M.A.), Ron [email protected] as Melinda says: “Bikers give great hugs.” Roloff of the M.M.A. of California and Ed (503)-838-6893 (voice and FAX) Armstrong of A.B.A.T.E. of Chicago All written materials submitted -- Rot Path presented the House Sub-Committee on are subject to editing. Surface Transportation with convincing Edited in Independence, Oregon. MISSION STATEMENT testimony to repeal the helmet mandates. Set in Garamond 12 pt font Later that year, with California being sued (Same as used in them Harry Potter books.) by the D.O.T. because Governor Ronald A.B.A.T.E. or Oregon, Inc. About 1,900 copies printed and distrib- Reagan refused to comply with the federal uted monthly by: promotes motorcycle aware- helmet law mandate, Roloff helped convince Oregon Lithoprint, Inc. ness, education, safety and lib- California Senator Alan Cranston to offer the 1315 Miller Street erty through community language of the bill as an amendment to the McMinnville, ORegon 97128 involement and legislative ac- 1975 Federal Highway Act, which passed 1-(877)-472-1198 with overwhelming support from the tion. California delegation because of the Masthead photo by Liz Schillinger impending lawsuit, and was signed by A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon, Inc. Newsletter -- December 2002 page 3 Coordinator’s Comments by Ted Tracy Hello Everyone: This is my last column as State The highs include: Three Fossil Campouts, three Coordinator. • Awarding a charter to Douglas S.T.E.A.M. conferences, three Tr ying to sound smart and make it County (I was glad to see them back. planning sessions, 35 state board interesting, this column was the Now if we can interest them in meetings. I honestly say that I enjoyed hardest part of this position. But it’s running the gate at Fossil?) all of them. been a gas, it’s really been a gas. • Another great high point was This year’s planning session was a I have thoroughly enjoyed (for the awarding a charter to Hub City! What huge success. Look for many great most part) being State Coordinator. a great bunch of people. ideas to bear fruit in the near future. • Hitting 2,000 active members was The high points far outnumber the another great milestone. I certainly couldn’t have handled the low points, but some of the downs: • 25th Fossil. That was one great position without the help and support • Douglas County turning in their campout. from all the State Officers. charter. • My trip to Washington D.C. was • Doc Kitzhaber’s veto of the helmet another great memory. I was What a great bunch. bill, extremely proud to represent • Chapter/state infighting, and the A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon at our nation’s loss of way too many motorcyclists. capitol. I also had the time of my life 2002 A.B.A.T.E. Planning Session ( Photos inflicted by Mel Yeager. ) Contact Your Coordinator phone: Portland area: (503)-615-3101 long distance 1-(877)-552-2283 FAX: (above) (503)-615-0550 Revelations revealed by revely. e-mail: [email protected] page 4 A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon, Inc. Newsletter -- December 2002 A.B.A.T.E. Chapter Reports Central Oregon Chapter With several members attending plus one guest, we got off to a quiet start. Much different from the days when we held our meetings at a pizza house! Keith, our alternate state board member gave us am update on state board functions and requests. One of these requests was a plan of our upcoming Central Oregon events/ runs that we hope to do next year. We need more imput from local members ideas. Please bring your ideas to our next meeting in November. Speaking of meetings, we voted to move our monthly meetings to the second Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm. (Our winter meeting time and date.) We are still meeting at the Redmond Hotel in the banquet room. Our Te ddy Bear Run was a super success on a warm, beautiful day with more than 50 riders attending. We gave away 750 bears to five different area hospitals and clinics. We also made a little cash. $40 from this poker run and $145 off the 50/ 50 raffle. Dusty won the high hand and Gladis won the low hand. Our booth at the Bear and Roses open house was also successful with several people showing interest in CENTRAL OREGON MEET- joining A.B.A.T.E. Good public ING TIME and PLACE exposure and response. 2nd Sunday at 1400 (2:00pm) Hope to see you at our next Old Redmond Hotel meeting. (next to Sulley’s Restaurant) Redmond, Oregon POINT of CONTACT John Baumann (541)-382-6146 Jay Swartz (541)-389-6773 CHAPTER ADDRESS: 17505 Snow Creek Road Bend, OR 97701 A.B.A.T.E.