Senator John Cornyn – Official YouTube Channel
Friday, October 30th, 2009The Senator has a youtube channel. You may want to look at this to see what our senator is saying.
Archive for October, 2009
09NR36 – MRF News Release – Senate Committee Holds Distracted Driving Hearing
Friday, October 30th, 2009
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The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee recently held a hearing to look into the dilemma of distracted driving. Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), was in attendance. The MRF submitted an official statement for the record on this hearing. That document is available on the MRF website at http://www.mrf.org/2009/CST_Statement_record_distracted.pdf. Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) opened the hearing with a startling fact; at any given moment, 11 % of all of drivers on the road are holding an electronic device. That’s over 800,000 people, and that’s only one form of distraction. Rockefeller used this opportunity to unveil some new legislation. He and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) are introducing a bill that would provide grants to states to be used in anti-distracted driving efforts. When the MRF gets a look at the language regarding the requirements for obtaining these grants, a position will be established. The Committee heard first from Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is not a committee member, but proposes withholding 25% of highway money for states until they enact a law that bans the practice of texting while operating a motor vehicle. His legislation S 1536 (and the companion bill in the House, HR 3535) would blackmail the states into passing a law they might not want. The MRF believes this is a state’s rights issue first and foremost, and does not support withholding highway funds in this manner for any reason. Beyond that, Schumer’s bill only singles out the worst of the worst forms of distraction. That’s not good enough; the motorcyclists of this country deserve to have all forms of distracted driving discontinued voluntarily. The Committee next heard from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC) Julius Genachowski about what their respective agencies are doing or plan to do to stop distracted driving. The FCC is undertaking a consumer awareness campaign much like “click it or ticket.” Secretary LaHood perhaps said it best when he said, “Education is number one,” meaning let’s use the carrot, not the stick, or in this case use the Rockefeller, not the Schumer. LaHood also had some interesting advice – using your brain. Moms, don’t call your kids when you know they are driving. Bosses, don’t call your employees when you know they are driving. Basically, be part of the solution. Just because you aren’t driving doesn’t mean the other half of your conversation isn’t. Good advice for all of us. LaHood also called for a broader focus beyond texting and talking, such as cheeseburgers and CD changers and so on. Anyone remember the old Norelco commercials that attempted to make distracted driving look cool? Committee member Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) had perhaps the most interesting approach for the role of federal government in this issue – do nothing. He said, “Let’s use the states as an incubator. A lot of states have passed good distracted driving laws; let’s let them continue to do that and see what works and what doesn’t, and go from there.” This proposed approach drew some criticism, but it does make some sense. Ultimately the federal government will get involved, and their solution is likely to be part carrot, part stick. As always, the MRF will keep you up to speed on this and all issues affecting motorcyclists. Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983 Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information. Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF’s Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrfae.org/yas.php. Sign up today for the MRF’s new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members. © All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders’ rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists’ rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS. |
District Advisors Meeting
Sunday, October 25th, 2009I will be unable to attend the Advisor meeting on Nov. 15th. I believe it best if we cancel the meeting and tryto schedule something in December.
Sputnik
Attention US Defender Team,
Thursday, October 15th, 2009This a National Call to Action(CTA). Attached and included in this email isinformation about the CTA, how to contact your US Representative, a sampleletter for your Representative, and a link to more detailed information about HR2057.
* Review the information about HR 2057, you may find more information about HR2057 by following the link below in this announcement.
* Use the link included in this email to find your US Representative. Attached is a sample letter that you may use and personalize for yourself. Be courteous and professional in your letter—make sure you fill in the correct date and your Representative’s name.
* Use the letter to ask your Representative to support and cosponsor this resolution. Using the list below, if your Representative is already cosponsoring HR 2057 ask him/her to further support it and bring this resolution into law.
* Print two copies of your letter, include your full name and complete address and zip code, sign one copy and mail it to your US Representative. Give the second copy to the unit commander of your US Defenders Program or the regional COIR representative.
* This CTA should be completed within 72 hours.
HR 2057, Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2009, as this resolution is currently in the US House of Representatives – Committee on Energy and Commerce introduced on 4/22/09 protects the right of individuals and independent repair shops to have to necessary tools in order to make repairs to vehicles of all types, including motorcycles.
HR 2057 is sponsored by:
Rep. E. Towns[ NY-10] and cosponsored by:
Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] – 5/21/2009
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] – 5/14/2009
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] – 5/12/2009
Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] – 4/30/2009
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] – 5/14/2009
Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] – 7/28/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] – 9/23/2009
Rep Carney, Christopher P. [PA-10] – 9/10/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] – 5/12/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] – 5/14/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] – 6/17/2009
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] – 5/21/2009
Rep Delahunt, Bill [MA-10] – 7/28/2009
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] – 4/22/2009
Rep Etheridge, Bob [NC-2] – 6/4/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 6/4/2009
Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] – 7/31/2009
Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] – 4/30/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] – 6/4/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] – 7/28/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] – 7/10/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 6/4/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] – 6/17/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] – 6/26/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] – 6/17/2009
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] – 7/10/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 5/21/2009
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] – 7/28/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] – 4/22/2009
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] – 7/28/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 6/26/2009
Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5] – 7/31/2009
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] – 5/21/2009
Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] – 6/26/2009
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] – 4/30/2009
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] – 6/4/2009
Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] – 6/4/2009
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] – 6/4/2009
Rep Shuler, Heath [NC-11] – 4/30/2009
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] – 7/31/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] – 4/30/2009
Information about the Right to Repair Act:
A link to HR 2057 to this email for reference.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
What the right to repair does:
Reaffirms the owners’ right to repair their vehicle and keep their families
safe.
Promotes consumer safety by allowing owners or their vehicles technicians’
access to the computers that control the systems and components that affect the
safe operation of their vehicles.
Permits owners to choose the repair shop and the replacement parts to service
and maintain their vehicles.
Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations to
protect consumers and to promote competition in vehicle maintenance and repair.
What it does not do:
It does not take a manufacturer’s intellectual property.
It does not affect the dealer’s warranty agreement with the vehicle manufacturers.
It does not require manufacturers to disclose manufacturing processes or tradesecrets.
***More information may be read at: Right to Repair Coalition
http://snipurl.com/s4rw6
***Contact information for your US Representative may be found at:
http://snipurl.com/s4rwd
To get the address follow the link to the edit and contact feature.
This is our very first National CTA, follow the USD model, network amongst yourselves and get busy! Timing is very important, we need to respond in concert together from all across the United States acting as ONE VOICE, ONE HEART and let our numbers speak!
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Use our website http://www.usdefenders.org/ to post on the message board your successes and your challenges.
Good Luck and Godspeed
The National US Defender Officer Team
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2) From:
Sample Letter:
Date
Dear Representative__________,
I am writing you today concerning HR 2057, Right to Repair Act, and am asking you to support and cosponsor this bill.
Modern vehicles, including motorcycles, contain advanced technology that monitors or controls virtually every function of the vehicle including: brakes, steering, air bags, fuel delivery, ignition, lubrication,theft prevention, emission controls and soon, tire pressure.
Vehicle owners and independent shops need full access to the information, parts and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair or re-program these systems. Vehicle manufacturers are making access to such vital information increasingly difficult to obtain for the independent aftermarket and its customers. Without access to critical information, parts and tools, motorists are forced to patronize new car dealerships, which may not be convenient oreasily accessible to a car owner and may increase the cost of repairs which adds a financial burden onto my household
This bill is sponsored by Representative E. Towns [NY-10]and co-sponsored by forty-one other members of the US House and is in the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Once again, I urge you to support and cosponsor HR 2057 in an effort to protect my ability to make timely and affordable repairs to my vehicles.
I appreciate your time and thank you for your support on this effort.
Sincerely,
Full Name
Complete Address and zip code