NCOM 2004

NCOM 2004 Report
Written by Bobbi Hartmann

ABATE of Arizona not only had myself and others, but their State PAC Officer, and our newly nominated State Coordinator in attendance at the National Coalition of Motorcycles (NCOM) Convention, Mothers Day weekend in Oklahoma City OK. So, I figured I'd get them to write an article for the June issue of the Masterlink, giving me time to have a less stressful trip to IL and WI, which is where I rode to from there.

Well, so much for less stressful. Although I didn't have a NCOM Report to do, I still ended up spending a week writing and submitting a "public bid"
for ABATE of Arizona Inc., in order to be granted the $50,000 available for the Billboard Campaign approved by the State Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council. I have no doubt we'll get it, but we will officially know by June 17th or so. This grant will tie up the $50,000 left in the Motorcycle Safety Fund, which needs to be used in this fiscal year. It will allow Viacom to provide us with 35 - 12'x24' billboards throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan areas for 8weeks or longer. We will get a report of install dates and exact locations, which we will pass on to you so that you can personally see what the $1 on your motorcycle registration is paying for.
The billboards will have 2 small children in their "LOOK Out For Motorcycle"
T-Shirts on the left, with the following verbiage on the right half - "LOOK Out For Motorcycles" "Mommy and Daddy Ride Motorcycles" "Sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Fund".

Well, back to NCOM. I rode out Wednesday May 5th and stayed the night in Albuquerque N.M. The following morning I took off with Junior, a friend of mine with the Bandidos M/C, Randy, Coordinator of ABATE of N.M. and Grumpy with the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization (NMMRO). We pick up a 5th rider near Amarillo TX. Sure was different having someone to ride with.
Made the 530 miles go faster. With my "AZ-WI" sign on the back, everyone probably thought we were all headed to the mid-west. Except for loosing my shifter peg, which Junior replaced with his heel shift, everything went well. We arrived in plenty of time for the Social Hour, where everyone meets and greets those that have already arrived.

There was a rather informative seminar on the US Patriot Act, following the opening ceremonies and afternoon breakout sessions. I'm telling you, we really need to find out more about this Act and educate the public on ways it can and will and is, affecting them. Most of them do not realize it.
Hell, just listen to the cop series like Law and Order on TV. The Suspect says, "I have the right to blah blah blah", and the TV cop says, "No you don 't, not since the Patriot Act."

The Friday night Confederation of Clubs General Patch Holders Meeting was as excellent as ever. This, I believe, is the highlight of the Convention.
Becoming educated and informed on what is going on in 43 other states and confederations is priceless. I think the impact of this meeting is what is remembered by all. It makes it very clear that everyone is trying to get on the "same page", not only on state issues, but federal issues as well. Pooh Bear, Sober Riders M/C and Chairman of our Confederation, gave a great report, followed by his usual words of wisdom. It is not unusual to hear the leaders of 1% clubs and confederations around the country speak profound words of wisdom. It seems that everyone is understanding the necessity of "educating" themselves, "voting and contacting their legislators", "communicating", "getting involved in the process", etc etc etc.

Please note the pictures that go along with the article. Notice Frank Mesa HAMC, State Senator Zien of WI, Ghost Mesa HAMC, myself and State Senator Putnam of SD. Senator Putnam asked to me to introduce him to Frank and Ghost, and it just so happened that he was walking and talking with Senator Zien when it happened. These two great Senators are constantly working for motorcyclists. Senator Zien, who I've known for many years always says, "There's Bobbi from AZ, she rides everywhere." He should talk. The Senator rides to every convention, everywhere. I also belong to ABATE of WI and accompanied them to the Capitol when they ran their bill to eliminate the "confiscation of motorcycles" in WI, when no charges have been made.
Senator Zien was on the Committee hearing the bill, but switched seats when it came time to testify in favor of the bill. This man is the ultimate, and just one of the many State and Congressional legislators that wear a "Lawmakers M/C" patch.

Saturday's "ringing of the bell" was a grand yet solemn occasion. If I remember right, there were about 5 persons from Arizona mentioned, including our beloved "Barbwire." There wasn't a dry eye amongst the Arizonians in the room when she was mentioned. Large pictures of JW Rock, Bandidos TX, "J.R." Reed Sons of Silence CO/National, and "Preacher" Mike, ABATE of Washington were present also. The Convention was dedicated to the memory of these great men. I only found out about JW passing, on the way from Albuquerque to OK City, when I mentioned to Junior that I didn't see his name as "Mcee" this year. I was greatly saddened. I will truly miss him and his wonderful hugs and huge smile. I also miss J.R. who always said, "here comes trouble" when he would see me. He would then say, "Well Bobbi, what is it you are getting us into now? OR better yet out of? These men, and all those mentioned, will be missed by many.

The Regional Meetings are another place and time to educate ourselves on what is going on in our areas. Region I, III and IX were held in one room.
This consisted of AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA, CO, MT, ND, SD, WY, AZ, NV, NM, UT. The reports given in the regional meetings enhance what we heard at the Patch Holder Meeting, and give us a chance to ask questions and openly discuss what is going on in our areas. Ray Huston and I got up and talked about what was going on in Arizona. I can't remember the exact count, but between the AZ clubs, ABATE and MMA, we had 2 banquet tables full of Arizonians (is that a word?).

Now for the Saturday night banquet. Normally this isn't my favorite part, and I quietly eat and leave. Well not this year. As most of you know, I was nominated for a Silver Spokes Award for "Special Recognition" and was to receive it after the meal. What I didn't realize, or better yet tried to ignore, was that fact that I had to sit at the table on the raised platform looking out over everyone else. Definitely NOT MY CUP OF TEA!!!! NOT even close to being my idea of fun!!! I made Ray Huston, MMA Lobbyist who was going to introduce me, sit right next to me through the whole thing. What can I say? I was very honored that I had been nominated and from what I hear, gave one of the SHORTEST speeches of my political career. Everyone thanked me later, but that didn't help the fact that I had to sit up there through everyone else's LONGEST speech!!

Sunday morning I left early to continue my trip to IL and then WI. I had talked with TOP, VNVMC of WI and Chairman of their Confederation, who said him and Fox were leaving at 6am Sunday and riding as far as Springfield IL (600 miles) where they would stay and that they'd be glad to have me along.
Looking at the map, it was only another 130 miles (one gas stop) further to get to my sisters in Plainfield IL. So I put in my longest day, 730 miles in 14 hrs. Company sure helped. Spent a "rainy" week in IL and then had one clear day to ride to my sisters in WI. Spent the next 2 "rainy" - "tornado warning-horn blowing-go in the basement" weeks and saw the first clear day when I left. My luck held out and I had good weather all the way back, except it kept getting hotter and hotter and hotter and ......!

Bobbi Hartmann
ABATE Designated Lobbyist
ABATE State Safety Officer
bobbij2@earthlink.net