April 2021 Rights
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RIGHTS RIDING AND MOTORCYCLISTS A.B.A.T.E. IS ALWAYS APRIL 2021 THERE FOR YOU! RIGHTS - RIDING & MOTORCYCLISTS IMPORTANT WEBSITES & LINKS Arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT! www.mrf.org www.midsouthmile.org www.arkansasabate.org www.ailife.com 2021 STATE OFFICERS A.B.A.T.E. CHARTER GOALS Chairman— Treasurer— 1. To initiate, endorse and sponsor educational programs; Rick Vermeulen Helen Wesson rider safety, public awareness, legislative and affirmative 870-688-8068 870-222-8509 action and, individual freedoms and rights. [email protected] [email protected] 2. To create and promote a positive public image of motor- cyclists and motorcycle groups and, to dispel and disprove Co-Chairman— Sgt. At Arms— media hype, unfounded propaganda and the “Hollywood” image. Chris Hart Randy Hutcheson 479-561-2654 870-5409654 3. To encourage goodwill and mutual understanding among motorcyclists, law enforcement personnel and the general [email protected] public. MRF Rep— 4. To benefit the less fortunate through organized activities Secretary— Rodney Farley such as bike runs, toy drives, general donations, fund raising Sherry Wewers [email protected] activities and coordinated events by other APPROVED [email protected] Asst. Helen Wesson organizations. (This means they MUST be a certified 501-317-1832 [email protected] 501C3 organization.) 5. To serve as an information source on matters pertaining to current laws, pending legislation, personal rights, political inclinations of elected officials and their constituents, and STATE OFFICE MANAGER - voter awareness. Sherry Wewers 6. To act as a central responsive agency to devise and coordi- Memberships /Advertising / Newsletter nate recreational, legislative, educational and charitable ac- Editor tivities. ABATE OF ARKANSAS 5704 JOHN HANCOCK DR / BENTON, AR 72019 501-317-1832 [email protected] This newsletter is the official publication of A.B.A.T.E. of Arkansas, Inc., 5704 John Hancock Drive, Benton, AR 72019. All rights reserved. This newsletter is a monthly publication and all items submitted to our newsletter are subject to editorial judgement. Note: all items submitted for publication become the property of A.B.A.T.E.. of Ar- kansas, Inc. unless otherwise prearranged. Opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of A.B.A.T.E. of Arkansas, Inc. and its officers. JOIN ABATE TODAY !!! Your membership gives you local district involvement, a membership card, and marked year pins (1-5-10-15-20-25-30-35) Each member is covered by a FREE $3500 accidental death and dismemberment policy! 2021 DISTRICT PRESIDENTS/ A.B.A.T.E. OF ARKANSAS MTG. DATES/TIME/LOCATIONS State Membership Application Annual Dues: Single $30 / Couple $35 / Assoc(under 18) $5 D-2 JONESBORO Sustaining Memberships / $100 annual individual (up to 2) PRES. TIM HICKMAN 870-819-6753 $100 annual district MTGS. / 1ST SUN. / 2PM / ASSOC. CLUBHOUSE / PLEASE PRINT 202 S PATRICK / JONESBORO New Member Renewal Member#___________ /___________/___________ D-4 FAYETTEVILLE PRES. ED JACKSON 479-381-1929 MTGS. / MONTH TO MONTH Name___________________________________________ D-7 HARRISON Name (joint) _____________________________________ PRES. RICK VERMEULEN 870-688-8068 MTGS. / MONTH TO MONTH Assoc. Name(s)___________________________________ D-13 JACKSONVILLE PRES. BOBBY SHERRON 501-681-5464 Address _________________________________________ MTGS. / MONTH TO MONTH City __________________ State_____ Zip Code_________ D-16 MTN HOME PRES. RAY COAHRAN 870-431-0958 MTGS. ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Phone ________ _________ ____________ D-18 SOUTHEAST Birthday(s) ________/____ /______________/__________ PRES. BODIE COURTNEY 479-209-3739 MTGS. 1ST THURS. / 7PM / CRAWFISH SHACK / MONTICELLO Newsletter by Email: Y / N Email Address:____________________________________ D-19 SEARCY PRES. CHUCK VAUGHN 501-207-3093 MTGS. 1ST TUES. / 7PM / AMERICAN LEGION / Dist #_______ Exp Date: __________ ___ 173 HWY 11 / SEARCY Yr Pins (given as follows)1/5/10/15/20/25/30/35) - D-20 PINE BLUFF PRES. DANNY WOOD 870-917-9294 All others must be requested & paid for in advance, as long as supply lasts ST 1 SAT./ 9AM / THE REFUGE / 1024 SHERIDAN RD. / REDFIELD Mail check / money order to: ABATE of Arkansas, Inc. 5704 John Hancock Drive D-22 FORT SMITH Benton, AR 72019 PRES. CHRIS HART 479-561-2654 Visa or MasterCard call: Sherry Wewers 501-317-1832 MTGS 3rd SAT / 4PM / OLD FORT HARLEY / FORT SMITH ABATE of AR MRF Rep Annual Individual Rodney Farley Membership: $35 501-940-7859 Annual Joint Membership: $60 [email protected] (See previous page for other prices) Membership can be mailed to: MOTORCYCLE RIDERS Asst. MRF Rep FOUNDATION Helen Wesson PO BOX 250 870-222-6600 HIGHLAND, IL 62249 [email protected] To pay online, go to: www.mrf.org *** FROM THE MRF: MARCH 2021 *** RIDING FREE FROM DC: Your Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway Bridging the Gap- Members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) attended a meeting of the National Council of Clubs in Gulfport, Mississippi. The MRF was invited to the event, entitled“ Bridging the Gap,” to discuss opportunities for the motorcycle club community to work in partnership with the MRF on national legislation. The MRF gave two presentations, the first on our 2021 legislative agenda and the second on the outlook for motorcycling going forward. The MRF was represented by Kirk “Hardtail” Willard (MRF President), Jay Jackson (MRF Vice President), Fred Harrell (Director of Conference & Events), Todd Riba (MRF Members Repre- sentative), Russell Radke (Director of Sustaining Member Motorcycle Clubs) and Rocky Fox (Government Relations). The weekend in Gulfport was the culmination of years of work by the MRF and clubs to find common ground on issues of importance to all motorcyclists. Spe- cifically, Russell Radke should be applauded for his efforts to help foster lines of communica- tion and collaboration between clubs and independents. Russell has spent countless hours spreading the word about the MRF and this weekend was a product of his hard work. Thank you to the National Council of Clubs for the invitation to Gulfport and thank you to all those who fight for bikers’ rights nationwide. Helping in the States As State Capitols around the country become busy with legislative activity numerous motor- cycle specific bills are being considered. Recently ABATE of Maryland reached out to the MRF seeking testimony in support of a new helmet choice bill introduced in the Maryland State Senate. The MRF submitted both written testimony and testified via Zoom in support of SB 712 - Vehicle Laws - Protective Headgear Requirement for Motorcycle Riders- Exception. MRF Vice President Jay Jackson spent Tuesday afternoon testifying before the Judicial Proceedings Committee. We know that many other state motorcyclists’ rights organizations are address- ing issues of importance in their state capitals. Whether it be another helmet law, as Nebras- ka is focused on or changes to ethanol as our friends in Iowa and Indiana are addressing, we at the MRF are committed to supporting the work at the state level. Let us know what you are working on back home so we can share with your fellow riders across the country. Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2021 Legislative Priorities 2021 2021 HIGH PRIORITY OBJECTIVES Profiling: Sustain lobbying efforts for the passage of resolutions or legislation that promotes awareness and prohibition of motorcyclists profiling. Seek opportunities including, but not limited to H. Res 255, with language that: • Promotes increased public awareness on the issue of profiling of motorcyclists. • Encourages collabora- tion and communication with the motorcycling community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end profiling of motorcyclists. • Urges state law enforcement officials to include statements condemning profiling of motorcyclists in written poli- cies and training materials. • Outlaws the practice of profiling of motorcyclists. Renewable Fuels: Advocate for targeted changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) including the following actions: • Support the universal availability of ap- proved fuel blends, containing no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume. • Pro- mote additional research and independent studies concerning the effects of higher blends of renewable fuels on motorcycles. • Ensure the availability of separate pumps (i.e., no multi-dispensing) to minimize the risk of damage to motorcycle en- gines where higher blend of renewable fuel blends is available. • Sustain lobbying efforts for the passage of the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2019 (H.R. 1024) or similar legislation which requires information to be provided to the public about the risks associated with the improper use of E15 fuel in certain vehicles, engines, and equipment. This legislation: • Revises current EPA rule to in- clude warning labeling requirements for fuel pumps that dispense E15. • Requires the EPA to create a public education campaign about the risks of unauthorized use of E 15 as well as the vehicles, engines and equipment prohibited from using E15. • Defines multi-dispensing nozzle and requires an additional warning label on multi- dispensing nozzles to warn consumers of the residual fuel left in gasoline pump hoses from the previous individual dispensing. Helmet Laws: Oppose any mandatory federal helmet, apparel or conspicuity stand- ards. Advocate for limiting funding of any federal government