LEGISLATIVE DAY 2005
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This report can be read at www.tmra2.org
The Day itself has come and gone but the memories will live for a long time
Hopefully for those who were in attendance for the first time it will kindle a
fire that will get them involved for the long haul. A close guess would place
the number of 1st timers at about 40% of the total. The total participation was
nearly double last session. You can all be proud to have been a part of it..
Bikers across Texas should be thankful for what you accomplished this Day.
Our weekend started with a few riders who stopped by the office on Saturday
evening. We were doing an interview with the crew from Chromed Out Magazine
concerning the association and the agenda for Sunday and Monday. They shall be
working with us throughout the year to inform riders what is really happening in
Austin and around Texas that will affect them. We look forward to the alliance
with them. After the interview about a dozen of us went to the Krazy Horse down
on Main Street for dinner. Prior to leaving we received a call from Dad who had
just ridden into town and he met us at the restaurant. Walked in and found Casey
Bolt and another rider already there. Everyone headed for Austin and My wife and
I went back to the office.
Left the office and headed for Beverly's at 10:00am Sunday morning for the party
hosted by the State Office of Texas COC. Despite the cold weather riders were
already showing up and preparations were underway for a good time. We dropped
off position papers and sign in books then headed to the Travelodge to set up a
temporary office for the day. We had applications, member patches for new
members, Rockers for renewals and thanks to Elmer McKeegan we had plenty of
T-shirts on hand for sale. The office was busy immediately with people picking
up position papers, joining, renewing and just generally having a great time.
Left there and went back to Beverly's in time to address the issues and explain
the agenda for the following day at the capitol. Boy was it packed and the food
smelled great. News media were coming out of the woodwork. Did a few quick
interviews, said what needed to be said and then Bandido Jimmy addressed the
gathering. We rushed back to the Travelodge to get ready to do the same thing
there. The office was still filled and riders were everywhere. Our state
secretary was getting broken in right but with Dee and a few others assisting
she was a quick learner. Thanks to all the members who took part in getting the
job done in the office. It was appreciated.
As we gathered around the pool to discuss issues and give instructions for the
next day we received a beautiful blanket from Cowboy and Pam to auction off as a
donation from the 1st Brazoria Chapter. They stood proudly lined along the upper
rail of the balcony behind their Chapter Banner. We started off by presenting
the SPUTNIK AWARD TO THE Big Country Chapter for having been the most active
chapter for last year. We then announced the winner of the ANGEL WARRIOR AWARD
and Mike gave it up to Del Essary of district 28 as the most supportive Advisor
of last year.
We handed out the Staff Armbands and then Robert Fletcher of ABATE Confederation
of Texas spoke. He asked everyone to come back to the capitol again on March
21st from 7-10:00am for Breakfast With The Bikers. This event is hosted by ABATE
as a follow up for Legislative Day. They reserve a section of the cafeteria, put
out plenty of snacks and drinks and invite the legislators to join the Bikers
for a free breakfast and some informal talks. This was a great event last
session and will be even better this year. He asked that everyone pick a third
day of their choosing to come back to the capitol to make the rounds and be
seen. Robert then issued a Legislative Challenge on behalf of Texas ABATE. The
contestants will be given points for letters to and responses from legislators
and for cards picked up during visits to state and federal legislators' offices.
Points will also be received for attending ABATE chapter meetings and state
functions. More points can be acquired for volunteering to work at functions.
The top point getter for the year will receive
$ 1,000. Now that is a prize worth working for.
Gary, the TMRA state Chair presented the Share the Road booklets they had
prepared to be handed out next day and then we auctioned the blanket which
brought a $200 bid from Gary. Thanks to him and 1st Brazoria. Sputnik gave a man
a Mohawk who wished to show his solidarity with Sputnik and then we all had a
good time. Janet (Her Highness) shared a room with us and even after the crowd
played out sleep did not come easy. Laid down at about 1:00am and by 4:00am was
having coffee, waiting for time to head for the battleground. Finally bounced
Gwen & Janet out of bed and made what has become a routine trip for yours truly.
Of course they were still tired and Gwen remarked "There must have been a
thousand bikers passed through our room last night."
Unlike routine days the old fire was raging again as we looked forward to the
vision of so many of our brothers and sisters walking down these hallowed halls.
We were greeted in the cafeteria by Staff members eager to receive the day's
assignments. Then the steady flow of leather clad constituents began to swarm
into the Rotunda and the invasion had begun. Gimme Jimmy had scheduled a ride in
from Beverly's for 8:30 am and a few hundred Patch Holders followed him straight
up Congress to the Capitol where Da'Lady led them on a rumbling ride around the
capitol before they pulled into the reserved parking and dismounted. Sputnik was
there to meet them and we walked to the South door enmasse followed by the
media. We stopped on the capitol steps for a photo-op by the House photographer
and then as we moved for the door said "They know we are here, now let's go tell
them what for." And tell them we did.
Da'Lady went on the Floor and presented the Legislative Warriors to the House
with HR 62 as she wore here leathers and proudly announced her position as a
rider and member of TMRA ll. Roughly 5000 riders filed through the halls on this
day, nearly 40% for the first time. We are confident it won't be their last.
Were we successful? You bet. Getting that many riders, well versed on the issues
and ready to share our views was noted with respect by the legislators and awe
by bystanders who had never expected such a sight in their capitol. Three days
of constant news coverage by television, print and on the radio helped our case
tremendously.
Thanks to all who took part in this show of solidarity. To the many Staff
members who spent their day helping others, to those who made an appearance and
conducted yourselves so grandly. All too many to name but special thanks to just
a few. Thanks to Mike Alvey for filling the position in the Rotunda normally
held by Sputnik. To Da'Lady for the media Blasts and arrangements at the
capitol, the cake in her office and her staff who did themselves proud serving
the bikers. A very special thanks to Gimmee Jimmy for all the advance
preparation in bringing the 8 Regional Texas Confederations of Clubs on board. I
can confidently say that no other state can bring so many Patch Holders together
in their capitol at one time.
Special thanks to Robert Fletcher who stayed in constant touch to assure support
from ABATE Confederation of Texas. These three groups working together are what
made this event so grand. It was an honor to work so closely with these groups
to make Legislative Day a day to remember. And thanks to Elmer for taking the
time and trouble to bring down the shirts and deliver a scooter to the office
for me to take to my brother.
Tuesday morning and the sight and sounds of the riders has left a vacuum in the
capitol halls except for the shouts from across the halls and the words from
those who stop to congratulate your chair on the large showing and the
exceptional conduct and knowledge of those who had made the trip to Austin. We
visited only twenty offices on this day due to time limitations. Only 12 were
present as we made those rounds. We received 11 yeses and one no vote on HB 264.
The no came from Rep. Myra Crownover who wasn't interested in facts she says she
would vote to put the helmets back on our heads. You made those votes possible
with your appearance on Monday. We will get down to serious business next
Monday. Expect a request for letters in the near future. We shall keep a running
report going throughout the months ahead.
We shall be making a DVD next week.
Congratulations folks, you did yourself proud.
Sputnik
State Chair - TMRA ll