MRF News Release - Congress Expresses Concern with Federal Motorcycle Roadside Checkpoint Grant Program

OFF THE WIRE
ps - That's a typo in the MRF's release. They meant to list Lamborn of CO as a signer. There Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus members:
Michael Burgess TX R Co-Chair
Gabrielle Giffords AZ D Co-Chair
Tim Walz MN D Member
Bob Filner CA D Member
John DuncanCADMember
Michael ConawayTXRMember
Chet EdwardsTXDMember
G.K. ButterfieldNCDMember
Bart StupakMIDMember
Randy ForbesVARMember
Doug LambornCORMember

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
10NR27 - MRF News Release - Congress Expresses Concern with Federal Motorcycle Roadside Checkpoint Grant Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 September 2010
Contact: Jeff Hennie, Government Relations and Public Affairs

Congress Expresses Concern with Federal Motorcycle Roadside Checkpoint Grant Program
US Representatives call for the suspension of Federally funded motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. US Representative James Sensenbrenner (WI) took the lead on a letter to Ray LaHood, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, asking him to address the benefits of motorcycle only checkpoints. As previously announced by the MRF, LaHood’s DOT recently asked for applications from law enforcement agencies to conduct federally funded motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints.
The letter goes on to encourage Mr. LaHood to suspend funding for National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland's program until the questions are answered. Sensenbrenner was joined on the letter by Representatives; Petri (WI), Jones (NC), Schock (IL), Lanborn (IA), McCotter (MI), Ryan (WI), Rehberg (MT), Terry (NE), Paul (TX), and Wilson (SC). Of note are Shock and Wilson who have respectively key noted Motorcycle Riders Foundation Meeting of Minds and Beast of the East this year.
The MRF would like to thank all of those who heeded the call to gather support for this important matter. Should you be fortunate enough to have one of these outstanding Members of Congress that signed onto the letter, the MRF encourages you to contact them and thank them. Ralph Bell of ABATE of SC had this to say to his Member of Congress, Joe Wilson: "I not only appreciate your signing on this letter but applaud your no nonsense understanding of what Freedom is. This grant is definitely against all of our Freedoms and discriminates against us because of what we ride. Thanks again for your support."
The letter asks that Ray LaHood, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, address the benefits of motorcycle-only checkpoints by October 13th. The letter goes on to encourage Mr. LaHood to suspend funding for National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Strickland;s program.
Read the letter here.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will keep you updated on this issue.

In Other News
Wall Street Journal attacks California’s Motorcycle Awareness Month.
Editors at the Wall Street Journal are not so fond of the Golden States decision to honor the motorcyclists of California. The opinion piece claims that the awareness month bill is part of a pile of legislation that should not have been passed before the State balances its growing budget crisis. Assembly Republican leader Martin Garrick defended the legislation pointing out the need "to honor motorcyclists many contributions to the community". At least those in power have the right idea. We at the MRF have our opinion of journalists who attempt to diminish motorcyclists. Take a guess what that would be. Read the article for yourself and feel free to contact the author.
Read the Wall Street Journal article here.