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Latest News from Wisconsin & Illinois
ABATE Gets The Job Done; Lobby Day Brings Over 500 To The Capitol
Posted on Sep 03, 2009
Posted 3/4/2009
This is just a portion of the 500 who attended ABATE of Wisconsin's Lobby Day on February 26, 2009.
On the year marking its thirty-fifth anniversary of advocating for Motorcyclist’s rights in Wisconsin, members and supporters of ABATE of Wisconsin got the job done February 26th in Madison with over 500 bikers in attendance looking for support for ABATE’s 2009 legislative agenda. Every state legislator’s office was visited and once again, ABATE of Wisconsin and its supporters showed that grassroots lobbying is the most effective way of reaching our legislators. Buses were rented to carry ABATE members to the capitol from every corner of the state. Hupy and Abraham, S.C. paid for two buses to bring southeastern Wisconsin bikers to Madison, a commitment the firm started at last year’s lobby day. Hupy and Abraham, S.C. also offered to rent buses to carry ABATE of Illinois members to Springfield for their lobby day. Attorney Hupy said, “This is a critical time, where the tide could turn and we must get as many people to Madison and Springfield as possible.”
ABATE of Wisconsin’s 2009 legislative agenda includes amending parts of recently passed legislation that was intended to enhance penalties for right of way violations and make motorcycle awareness such as ABATE’s Share the Road program mandatory for all violators. Since this law has been in effect for more than two years now and we have seen very few enhanced penalties issued, this is one of ABATE’s top priorities. A great amount of interest was shown by legislators on this issue.
ABATE members and supporters also took this opportunity to re-introduce themselves to legislators and to let them know their stance on the current helmet law in Wisconsin and the overwhelming need for crash avoidance solutions, not safer crashing. As in the past, Attorney Hupy accompanied bikers to various meetings, lending his expertise in communicating issues to law makers as well as mentoring new lobby participants.
Just after noon in the Capitol rotunda, Senator Mary Lazich presented ABATE of Wisconsin Executive Director Greg Rodd with a certificate from the Senate recognizing ABATE of Wisconsin for thirty-five years of protecting the freedoms and promoting safety and awareness for all motorcyclists in the state. Hupy and Abraham, S.C. senior investigator, Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo, is the founder of ABATE of Wisconsin and remains active in ABATE’s legislative issues. He and Attorney Michael Hupy are life members of ABATE of Wisconsin, as well as members of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois and the MRF.
ABATE of Wisconsin’s goal is to give the motorcyclists of Wisconsin a strong, united voice, with regard to their future, their way of life, their safety and their legal rights as motorcyclists and citizens.
