Press Releases, News & Notes
November, 1998

FEDERAL NO-FAULT PLAN DIES

American motorists and motorcyclists can breath a sigh of relief as Congress prepares to adjourn without taking any action on federalizing no4ault insurance. 5.2454, the 1'Auto Choice Reform Act," would have essentially forced every state to adopt a "no4ault'vehicularinsurance plan. Bipartisan opposition prevented the national no-fault scheme from receiving fayorable commiftee action, and supporters failed tobnng the issue to a floor vote in either house. Under No-Fault Insurance, those involved in accidents must file claims againsttheir own insurance companies for their losses, even if they were not responsible for causing the accident. Consumers "All only enjoy a benefit respite however, as the issue of federalizing vehicle insurance will be taken up again when the 106th Congress convenes next January.

BIKER POLITICIANS RE-ELECTED

Motorcycle rights activists in many states are celebrating the return to office of such biker politicians as U.S. Sedator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, a longtime motorcyclist and member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Legislative Task Force, who won re-election November 3rd by an overwhelming margin! In fact, every legislator serving on the NCOM Legislative Task Force who faced re-election this Fall was successful at defending their seat; Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien, South Dakota State Representative Jim Putnam, New Mexico State Representative Rick Miera, Florida State Representative Nancy Argenziano, and West Virginia State Delegate Greg Butcher. NCOM would also like to congratulate newly-elected Kentucky State Representative Carolyn Belcher, an active member of the Kentucky Motorcycle Association (KMAIKBA) who received a campaign contribution from NCOM through the "Get Our People Elected" program. Congratulations to all

NCOM WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER

The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) would like to welcome Jeff Barone, President of the Rhode Island Motorcycle Association (RIMA) to the NCOM Board of Directors. Barone was approved at the November 6,1998 NCOM Board Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will serve as Co-Director for Region VIII (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusells, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia) along with Tom Duffee, State Coordinator of ABATE of New York. Welcome Aboardi The NCOM board also bids a fond farewell to Anna Marie Schwind of ABATE of Virginia who has resigned, and thank her for her many years of dedicated service. NCOM also awarded recognition plaques to immediate-past board members Bill Johnson representing MMA of California, Louis Watson representing ABATE of Oklahoma and William "Moon" Laber representing ABATE of Pennsylvania and now with the Pennsylvania Coalition of Motorcyclists (PCOM). Thank you for your efforts on behalf of all motorcyclists!