ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.

TIGER TALES - JULY 2009

Howdy to all my riding friends! I hope all of you are enjoying a happy Independence Day weekend with loved ones, and that you're keeping safe on the Road amid the 101 Critical Days of Summer, which end on Labor Day. With the Fourth of July, we're given another opportunity to express our gratitude for living in a free country, with Qualities of Life established by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that no other country on earth enjoys. I appreciated the time I was able to reflect on the history of Old Glory during Flag Day on June 14. The Stars and Stripes has experienced quite a history over the past 233 years, and continues to be faced with challenges to its representing Freedom, both from without and within. We as a Motorcycling Community need to continue to exercise our Rights as American Citizens to keep defending that Freedom, just as our Brothers and Sisters in the Armed Forces who continue to place themselves in harm's way as they do the same all over the world.

I'm very pleased with the way our ABATE State Board Meetings have been going these days. We routinely enjoy near- or complete 100 percent representation of all the Chapters, which is important, since the

Membership needs to be kept informed of how the State Organization is acting on their behalf. To that end, a State By-Laws Amendment was approved which will hold ALL State Officers and Appointees to the same attendance standards for meetings as the Chapter Representatives. That way, we'll ensure that ABATE leaders will be kept abreast of the latest developments in order to improve lines of communication. We're also going to consider at the July State Board Meeting a proposal to make committee positions, such as the State Safety Officer, MRF State Representative and others, positions elected by the State Board rather than appointed duties. This will, I'm sure, generate quite a bit of spirited debate, as it has already, so stand by for news. I also want to point out, since we're less than three months from them happening, that two significant events are due to take place. ABATE's second annual "Party On The Plains" is scheduled for October 2-4, again at the Westlake Recreation Area just west of beautiful Enid, America. For those of you who couldn't make it last year, you definitely need to put it on your calendars, as you'll be in for a terrific time enjoying a first-class rally full of fun activities with your Biker Brothers and Sisters! We're also enjoying this event in close proximity to a local ABATE Chapter this year--the Chisholm Trail 412 Chapter. So, it'll provide ABATE folks the opportunity to make a bunch of new friends as well as hook up with old ones! Oct 16-18 will mark the annual Mid-South Motorcyclists Improving Legislative Effectiveness (M.I.L.E.) Rights Seminars at the Best Western in Emporia, Kansas. Freedom Fighters from the State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations of Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Texas and Arkansas will convene to share ideas and attend informative and educational presentations, as well as receive updates from National-level Organizations like NCOM, the MRF and the AMA. We'll also enjoy a delicious Banquet with a fun auction and party on Saturday night. The Lakes Area Chapter has once again stepped up to construct the ABATE Basket of Made-in-Oklahoma products which has won the People's Choice Award in the past. Many thanks, Lakes Area, for your continued dedication! I'll remind ABATE folks that the challenge was issued for us to exceed Kansas in M.I.L.E. attendees in their home state, so PLEASE make plans for showing up! You can obtain more information and a Pre-Registration application by logging onto www.midsouthmile.org . Remember, for only $100, an unlimited number of your Chapter Members can attend.

Well, the 2009 Legislative Session has concluded, and there's both good and not-so-good news for our Motorcycling Community. Our ABATE Legislative Committee, including Suzette Northcutt Rhodes, John Pierce, Brook Bullock and Carol King, made numerous visits to the State Capitol to interface with the Legislature on Bikers' behalf, and they deserve our thanks. The "Red Light Bill" HB1795, passed the House and is alive in the Senate, with a very good chance it'll be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee at the beginning of the 2010 Session. The funding for Rider Safety, Education and Awareness Programs is also alive for 2010 in HB2264, having passed both the Senate and the House. Currently, it's in Conference Committee. We have many friends and supporters, both new and old, in both the House and Senate ready to help in the 2010 Legislative Session. Additionally, there has been a request filed for an Interim Study in the House to address how to effectively fund Motorcycle Safety Programs. We'll soon know if and when the appropriate House Committee will accept and hear the study. What's important about this is that if the study is accepted it will give Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community, represented by ABATE, a forum to prove to the Legislature that a majority of Oklahoma's motorcyclists want to pay the additional $5.00 on a bike tag to fund Rider Safety and Education. Expect more information on this study in August.

With tens of thousands of additional motorcyclists traveling through Oklahoma during the summer and attending events like June's National H.O.G. Rally in Oklahoma City, especially with the gasoline prices continuing to creep up, the state needs to emphasize Sharing the Road and Driving Biker-Friendly. To that end, more Motorcycle Safety and Awareness messages will soon be seen on Electronic Highway Signs across the state. Oklahoma Director of Highway Safety Scott Watkins is the official responsible for Motorcycle Safety, and is both supportive of Sooner State riders and desirous of working more closely with ABATE. SIXTEEN more electronic billboards advertising to "Look Twice and Share the Road: Motorcyclists Are Everywhere" are slated to be purchased and erected on strategic highways throughout the state. With a disturbing number of motorcycling deaths and injuries having happened since Memorial Day, many caused by other drivers, this can't happen fast enough! Your challenge as motorcyclists and trikers is to take this time between sessions and use it profitably to establish a personal relationship with your State Senator and Representative. If you don't know who your elected officials are, you can check out www.ok.gov ,click on "My Government" and follow the links. Something else that'll help our Riding Community is for you to join ABATE of Oklahoma and take an active role in fighting for your Rights. Feel free to contact Suzette at oksuzette@yahoo.com or call her at 405-397-6689 if you have any questions, or you can get hold of me at 405-596-1072 or e-mail me at tigermike7@cox.net .

Tiger's Tip O' The Month:

Your oil is the lifeblood of your machine, but it's subject to quicker breakdown in Summer's hot weather. Use the correct viscosity and change it at lower mileage intervals. Your motor will be around for many more summers!

I've got to close, but I just wanted to give folks a heads-up that we just received the unfortunate news that Louisiana's Freedom Of Choice proposal regarding helmet wear died in committee, so you'll need a skid-lid for another year if you're headed through that part of the South. Also, we should receive news on the proposed modification of Missouri's Mandatory Helmet Law no later than July 15 (My Birthday, incidentally). Governor Jay Nixon hasn't signed it as yet, but he can either do that, veto it, or it could become law on July 15 without his signature. If it does become law, riders 21 and older will be able to ride Helmet-Free if they choose to in Missouri, EXCEPT ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, where Helmet Wear will be MANDATORY in the Show-Me State. Should this happen, Missouri Bikers Rights Activists will seek at a later time to get the Interstate requirement repealed--an interesting challenge indeed. As I wrap this up, I would ask folks to please remember the family of COD Member Tommy Lee of Norman in your thoughts and prayers. I was notified that he unexpectedly passed away the end of May, just before his daughter was to be married. We in ABATE wish for Tommy's wife Debbie and for the grieving family the Lord's Peace which passes all understanding. Have a great Summer, everyone, and keep riding Safely, Sober and Aware. Hopefully, my articles continue to be as colorful as our spiffy newspaper layout. Take care, and I'll see you on the Road!

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,

Tiger Mike