President's Report

Greetings to my fellow supporters of Motorcycle rights!!I

As I sit to write this month’s report, I am looking back on all the events of the past few weeks. We had an amazing turn out for the memorial services/celebration of life of our friend Deborah Butitta. For those who made it to Prescott I am sure you will agree that it was both moving and fun looking on all her achievements and seeing the love and respect of the entire community. She will never be replaced.

It was wonderful to see how many people came from all over the country to pay respects to her.

I want to thank the members of the MRF who made the journey to the Prescott Rodeo grounds.

I also wish to extend congratulations to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation on their induction to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame. This is an honor that was well earned and shows just how important the work of the MRF is for riders all over this country.

When you see this it will already be September. The kids are back in school and the summer is half over. I hope everyone gets out and enjoys our beautiful state.

Our country will be celebrating Labor with a National Holiday. This is to pay respects to those who work so hard, to make our country what it is. The first Labor Day celebration was September 5th, 1882 in New York City. During this time most Americans worked 12 hour days six days a week. It wasn’t until the Adamson Act passed in 1916 that our modern 8 hour work day was established. Labor Day is also the second most dangerous holiday weekend to drive on U.S. highways. When you are enjoying this day with friends and family please be aware as you travel and keep alert and watch for other vehicles. We want everyone to enjoy this holiday and make it home safe.

This is the time of the year when ABATE of Arizona will be planning our State membership meeting and also elections for the BOD member from each chapter. This is also the time for all chapters to prepare for upcoming chapter elections. The success of your chapter depends on volunteers. We are all in this together and we all joined ABATE because motorcycle rights and safety issues are important to us. The old adage “many hands make light work” is true. So lend a helping hand and make the work a little easier for everyone in your chapter and consider stepping up and being an officer.

Several members of ABATE of Arizona will be traveling to Des Moines, IA this month to attend the annual MRF convention known as Meeting of the Minds! This is held every year and motorcycle rights advocates from all around the country and sometimes the world come together and meet and discuss what is happening in their states and on a national level. There are many different seminars and meetings and an amazing amount of knowledge is shared. Many of our members belong to the MRF and I strongly urge ALL of our members to join the MRF.

September is also the month that the new Arizona Lane Filter law will go into effect. The date for that is Saturday September 24th, 2022. This is the bill that our State Legislative Director Mike Infanzon, worked so very hard to get pushed through the legislature. Please as you travel around the state and talk with other motorcyclists, remind them that it is not yet in effect and will not be legal until then.

Help spread the word on all the good things that have come to pass in Arizona do to the hard work of ABATE members across the state. While you are out riding and supporting other groups and clubs, talk about ABATE. Wear ABATE gear proudly and ALWAYS carry several membership tri-folds with you. Most riders do not belong to ABATE because nobody ever asked them to join. ASK THEM!

Until next month please ride safe and look out for all the kids who are back at school. The universities are back in session with many out of state students who may not be familiar with the areas and may be lost and distracted. Also this time of year is when those famous visitors known as “SNOWBIRDS” begin their annual migration and are starting to be seen on our roadways. They bring lots of dollars to our economy while they are here. These folks are not always familiar with our streets and roads and may not be very attentive so PLEASE look out for them and as they used to say on Hill Street Blues, LET’S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Jim Butsback
State President
ABATE of Arizona