Texas Motorcycle Rights Association
512-971- 6777 - 275 Old Lexington Rd. Elgin, Texas 78621
www.tmra2.org
The parking lot at Lost Prairie Cycles was packed with bikers from as far away as Houston, Hewitt, Huntsville, Groesbeck, Eddy, Crockett, Mexia, Waco, Jewett, Tx. And parts unknown, with The NEWS motorcycle club, The CMA and a new Mom & Pop riding group called The Los Pirados rounding out the mix of bikers. Lunch was served shortly after 12 noon, with Fajitas, Pico de Gallo, Uncle Tom's Jalapeno Beans, Tortillas, Guacamole, Chips, Salsa, Susan's salad & Smoked Link Sausage! Kevin & Robert Rose came in early to set up the tables, chairs and help prepare the store for a massive display of food & drink.
The Texas Owners Group meeting started at 1pm with a prayer from Thomas Barber of The CMA. All stood for The Pledge of Allegiance. Topics discussed were the alcohol check point, holding our senators & congressmen/women accountable to the constitution or they will be gone in 2010, The 2009 Howl-O-Ween Rally on Oct 30th - Nov. 1st , Volunteers for the rallies are doing a great job, all were recognized and much appreciated with a big round of applause! Skunk Dots Biker News was also mentioned, they wrote a great article about The Texas Independence Day Rally, see the May 2009 edition of Skunk Dots before they are all gone!
Dennis & Skunk also were mentioned and made a whopping $600.00 bid to win the Texas Flag flown over the Texas Capitol building just for TMRA2
6 New members signed up at the May 3rd meeting, they are Stephanie & Mike Forbes of Eddy, Tx, Jason Harris of Waco, Tx., Norman & Audra Gilbert of Hewitt, Tx. & Cynthia Holmes of Jewett, Tx.. Los Pirados is also a 100% TMRA2 membership organization!
TMRA2 Benefit - East Texas Chopper Guys Rally - June 19th, 20th & 21 at E.T.M.E. Acres near Nacadoches, Tx. I will be going, this is a fun family orientated rally, with games for all and live music. Show your support for TMRA2, Make this benefit!
Thank you all for showing your support for Freedom & TMRA2,
Tom Maddux
TMRA2 Senate District 5 Advisor
&
TMRA2 Finance Officer
5544 Hwy 164 East
Groesbeck,Tx.76642
254-729-3104
http://www.LPCycles.com
http://www.TheHOTRally.com
MRF News
HR 1253 Passes United States House of Representatives
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports that the US House passed HR 1253, sponsored by Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and cosponsored by Bart Stupak (D-MI), which would require that people signing up for a health plan receive in writing an explanation of treatment limits or non-covered conditions, along with other plan restrictions, "in a form that is easily understandable." The bill passed with overwhelming support with the final vote coming in at 422-3.
All group health plans would be covered by the bill, and health plans would be required to provide the information before customers sign up.
"We are going to stand up and shine a light on these exclusions so Americans will not be caught off-guard by exclusions buried deep within an insurance plan," said Burgess, a physician.
HR 1253 at this point does not have a Senate companion bill which is the next step before this legislation is signed into law.
"This legislative action keeps Congress on record that this issue needs their attention," said Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations. "While this bill is a step in the right direction, the MRF remains committed to securing coverage of any injury that comes from legal use of an on-road motorcycle."
Elmer H. McKeegan
Chapter Coordinator
“There was no joy in Mudville, MIGHTY CASEY HAD STRUCK OUT.”
That was the feeling in the capitol as first the House and then the Senate Adjourned SINE DIE on June 1st. I had an appointment with my Renal Dr. for that day in Houston so I called Legislators off the Floor Sunday and said my thanks in case I didn’t make it back for the final day. I stayed in touch with the Task Force Members at the capitol as I made my way through the routine at the Hospital. After being told by the Dr. that my kidney function was down to 20% and I needed my heart work up done again on June 16th I headed back to Austin to see the final hours of Sine Die. Compared to past years it was a waste of time.
There just wasn’t anything to celebrate and they all knew it. Nothing of any real importance got done this session. There were a few good Bills passed but the major issues remained out of reach. The problem was not just Partisanship but House against the Senate. And then it was a combination of both. The House Democrats slowed things to a crawl in an attempt to kill the Voter ID Bill. They were successful but many good Bills died behind it for lack of time. When it was clear Democrats had won that battle and offered to move on the Republican Senators threatened to Filibuster each of the other issues in a battle of one up man ship. It was absolutely disgustingly politics at it’s worst.
Whether you blame the House, the Senate, Democrats or Republicans the problem was a total lack of leadership. Governor Perry demanded issues that weren’t popular with Texas Citizens be passed. Republicans did their best to make it happen but met stiff opposition. Toll Roads and Taxes were top priorities for Republicans and I’m not sure the Democrats had any issues the Republicans truly opposed. There will be a Special Session and it will revolve around Toll Roads, Taxes and Voter ID. Some things just never change until you have a change in Leadership. I shall go home today and rest a couple of days. I plan to make the H O T Chapter Meeting at Lost Prairie Cycles Sunday and then make plans from there. Those plans will include making each Chapter’s meeting and try to get things back on an even Keel. Watch for a notice of when I will be in your area and let’s get ready for what lies ahead.
Ride Free – Ride Sober
Sputnik
State Chair/TMRA 2
