NCOM 2003 - MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN
Written by Bobbi Hartmann

The 18th annual National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Convention for 2003 was held in Milwaukee WI. Each year, I have flown to NCOM, back to Phoenix and then left to ride my ’85 FXRS to WI for my yearly visit with family.

In order to first visit with family IL, I had to leave Phoenix on April 30th. BIG Difference! It was not only windier than hell, but I froze my butt off across 8 states getting there.

As usual, I met many interesting people along the way. Having a sign stating AZ -WI on the back of the bike has a way of attracting those that have lived in either state, and/or just want to converse with someone riding across country, to find out what it’s like.

The next morning I left friends in Council Bluffs IA, to proceed across I80 to Plainfield IL. It was about 45 degrees, and clear skies. The winds were so bad, however, that I went on reserve at 104 miles, averaging 30 miles per gallon. Soon afterwards the skies blackened, so the next gas stop called for rain gear on top of everything else I was wearing. I never have figured out how to stuff in what it is needs to be stuffed, after you get that second glove on!

Prior to leaving Phoenix, I had been contacted by Connie Slonaker with ABATE of IA, who arranged to meet with me at a HD shop near Iowa City. They were intrigued by the fact that I ride across country by myself, and wanted to meet and ride with me for a bit. Connie and Larry rode with me from there to the IL border, and have offered me a place to stay any time and for as long as I need, whenever.

I spent the next 5 days in Plainfield IL with my sister Jackie and my niece Michelle and her family.

NCOM Convention Begins:
Thursday May 8th, it was back in the saddle to my sister Cheri and Tim’s home in WI and off to the NCOM Convention at the Four Points Sheraton in Milwaukee. I was joined by 11 other Arizona reps including Pooh Bear–ACMC Chair/Sober Riders MC, Gayle Stewart–Sober Riders MC, Pryo-Lost Dutchman MC, Fat George–Spartan Riders MC, Big Head-Mesa Hells Angels MC, Jan Reber–Chairman ABATE BOD, Denise Hartman–ABATE Shadow Mtn., myself– ABATE Designated Lobbyist, Ray Huston – NCOM Board/VC-Lobbyist MMA, Tambria Kirk, Willie Shearhart and Terri Kelly–MMA.

The Wisconsin Federation of Clubs hosted this year’s convention. The opening ceremonies included the Pledge of Allegiance by WI Senator Dave Zien, a welcome by WI Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Orientation by NCOM BOD Chairman and Pres. of ABATE of FL Doc Reichenbach,

and Host Comments by WI Federation Chair and President of WI Vietnam Vets MC John “Top” Chitwood.

SMRO Special Meeting:
Dennis “Cotton” Tedder of CBA-ABATE of N.C. took a good look at how they were being jerked around, and decided to take an even better look at their organization. He found that although only 10 persons were willing to do the political work, thousands were willing to hit the pavement for charity. He said we can’t loose site of the fact that the MC’s are the ones that started the rights movement back in the 50’s and that since then, organizations like ABATE have become bastardized and watered down to the point that in some states, ABATE is no more than an extension of the Salvation Army!!! He started making changes by addressing the constitution and taking their job as a MRO seriously. He said there is only one ABATE. If the people in your state get their rights taken away, it’s the MRO’s fault. Their primary goal is and should be motorcycle rights.

Confederation of Clubs General Patch Holder Meeting:
43 Confederations across the U.S. and Canada were represented. Pooh Bear, Arizona’s Confederation Chairman, did a commendable job relaying our legislative information. In listening to everyone speak, it was evident that there are similarities in bills and battles across the U.S. and Canada. Common legislation is Equal Access, Blue Dot Tail light, Stop Light Sensors, Motorcycle Safety Programs, MC Construction Signs, Handle Bar Heights and Helmet Modification bills. They also spoke of the Patriot Act.

Some of the more profound statements made at this meeting follow:
- It’s not about standing up, jumping up and down and making a bunch of noise. It’s about coming together in these kinds of meetings, getting educated and then going out there and doing something.
- In regards to the Patriot Act, if your not scared to death about what the government is trying to do to us, you better go home, look in the mirror and turn the f--kin light on.
- The tactic they are using is simple – “Divide and Conquer” and then sit back and watch us fight amongst ourselves. We don’t have to be all warm and fuzzy about it, but we do have to stick together.
- As Ben Franklin said about 200 years ago – “We must all hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Regional Meeting:
Each state represented went into more depth and the particulars on legislation and litigation going on in their state, shared ideas and discussed resolutions, providing pertinent information, which can be used by all of us in our legislative battles. This meeting is invaluable.