PARTICIPATION

by Tom McGrath

Were you there: Where? Motorcycle Lobby Day 2005. If you missed it, and many o you did, you missed a fine day. On Sunday, January 15, we had more than 100 motorcyclists attending the Lobby Day preparation at the Comfort Inn, 3200 West Broad Street, Richmond. Beginning at Noon, the participants were brought up to date on everything from a recap of the status of the Virginia Motorcycle Rider Safety Training Program to the legislation we were supporting and the legislation we were fighting. (Jim's column in this issue has more about the legislation.) There were a lot of first timers at this year's sessions. A good many of them were from the U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club. In fact, this club had the largest number of participants of any club. My hat's off to these guys. They showed that they know what freedom is all about. Freedom is the right to petition your government for a change, no matter what that change is, without fear of reprisal from that government. I think that everyone who attended the lobby day prep was ready to talk to the issues the next day. On Monday, January 16, Motorcycle Lobby Day, we had about 150 motorcyclists at the Capitol. This is probably the best turnout we have ever had. It seemed to me that this year things ran very smoothly as folks seemed to know more where they were going, who they were going to speak to, what to say and how to say it. Not only did the lobbying run smoothly, so did our annual luncheon. We had 110 people for lunch at Penny Lane Pub. Since we had some many for lunch, the owner of the pub has told me that if we keep growing he will shut down this restaurant to any outsiders during the lunch time. We'll have to place to ourselves. Can you imagine how great that would be? "Biker come to Lobby. Restaurant shuts out general public to handle influx of motorcycle activists." Make it happen.

Having seen our Lobby Day grow each year, it is really interesting to me how the staff at the capitol reacts to us. At first when we did this the folks at the capitol always seemed to act like they were intimidated by us. Now they act like they can't wait to see us. We sure have done a lot of the image of motorcycling by just showing up each year and talking to these people.

Another thing that is happening is that we are beginning to get some of you willing to return to the Capitol on other days to help us continue to lobby for our bills. This is also being noticed and helps a great deal. In particular, Bernie and Penny Adams with the Virginia Freedom Riders and Bob Stopper and G.W. Peterson with ABATE of Virginia spent extra days helping us. During committee hearings, we had a large group of bikers in support of our bills. If this presence at the General Assembly can grow we can expect more form the legislators.

Speaking of expecting more for the legislators, this is an election year for all members of the House of Delegates. This year, the various motorcycle politically active organizations in Virginia are touting their "Adopt a Rep" campaign, asking each member to adopt a representative to support. This support is not just financial - VCOM will be doing that with your money - but committing to actively help get people elected who will vote with us on issues. Every person running for office needs people to plant and post signs, to make coffee, to go to the Post Office for them, to fold political papers to be mailed or to stuff envelopes. There is something you can do. Why wait? The whole House is up for reelection. I know some of you are interested in the races for the top spots in the state, but all the legislation has to start in the Senate or House so we need volunteers for these House races. When you get involved, we need to know it here at VCOM so we can track what's happening. We will attend functions and send money to those who are our friends. If there is an event in your locality and the person running for office is friendly to us or is opposing someone who is not our friend and we cannot attend his /her function, we will send the donation and you can attend. If we can attend and you want to go (we'd love that), we'll send the money for you and us to go. Either way, let's get our people elected.

Both political parties have caucuses on the local level. It doesn't matter to VCOM what your party is, but you can help motorcycling a lot by getting involved with the caucus. The caucus is where the candidates for the party are picked, usually. In Texas, the motorcycle rights groups got involved in the Democrat Party at the local level and were able to have a great influence on the selection of candidates, so much so that they got all pro motorcyclists elected fro that Party. We can do it in Virginia. Each party generally announces its caucus in the paper so you have the ability to pick up the date and time for the meeting there. If not, you can go on the web for either party and find out how to get involved. Whatever you do, let us know.

I'm excited about the progress we have made and the progress we are making for motorcycling in Virginia. We have, I believe, the best Motorcycle Rider Safety Training Program in the country and some of the most favorable laws for motorcyclists, but we're not stopping, with your help there's more to come.

Set your calendar for next year's Motorcycle Lobby Preparation Day and Motorcycle Lobby Day, January 15 and 16. set aside a few days next January or February to join us at the Capitol. Get involved in the House race in your locality. E-mail Jim at jim@vcomonline.org to let us know what you are doing. Send money. We need it during this elections year.

Ride safe!

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