Sacramento2005

The first time Halle got an SCR from the California Senate and Assembly for Motorcycle Awareness Month!

Early Saturday morning, 5 of us left the desert on a mission. Three were riding motorcycles, two rode in a truck hauling a trailer. 11 very long hours later, this motley crew arrived in Sacramento. An odd group we were - my husband and I who own a used motorcycle dealership, a guy who works for CVWD & his wife who works in property management, and a Special Education teacher - but we are all related when it comes to our love of riding motorcycles. We went to Sacramento to attend the ABATE Motorcycle Awareness Rally held on our State Capitol's south steps on Monday, April 18th. Monday morning we met up with a few other desert rats (our ABATE Local 36 President Richard Hall, his lovely girlfriend Kristi, and a Local 36 Officer, Larry Henderson) and hit the Capitol.

Since the Rally started at 11:30am, I took advantage of our early arrival (9am) and went to shake hands with the Legislators who made SCR 16 possible. Our first stop was Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia's office. She (and her entire staff) could not have made us feel more welcome! Off we went to Senator Battin's office - unfortunately his flight from the desert was delayed so we didn't get to shake his hand, but we were again warmly welcomed by his wonderful staff. Off to Assemblyman John Benoit's office - another warm and friendly welcome from he and his staff! Off we went down the halls of the Legislators offices - stopping in and saying thanks to the Legislators who signed on to SCR 16 as co-authors. I'm sure we caused a lot of whispering as we walked by all the people who worked there - a group of 5 of us in leather riding apparel definitely stood out from all the suits and feminine business attire!

Next stop was the Rally - many Legislators came down and spoke as well as ABATE Directors and Officers. It was an awesome sight to see all the different makes and models of motorcycles lined up along the curb in front of the front steps - along with the sea of people who were attending. From your stereotypical "biker" to grandmas to Capitol employees in suits - all riders were represented. Assemblywoman Garcia got up and spoke - and the crowd loved her. After she spoke and the Rally continued, she grabbed my friends and myself and took us aside. She told us that Senator Battin had arrived and had to go directly to the Senate floor - and that SCR 16 had been taken off the Consent Calendar and was going to be voted on. She, along with staff from her office and Senator Battin's office, hustled us into the building and up to the Senate Gallery to watch "history being made". Within minutes of our arrival, SCR 16 was put on the table - Senator Battin spoke eloquently about the necessity of bringing motorists' attention to motorcycles and sharing the road. He then acknowledged our presence in the Gallery! They then voted - 36 aye votes made SCR 16 a reality!! I sat there and cried...I was so proud to have been a part of making it happen...I was so proud that Senator Battin honored my humble request for the Resolution and made it happen...and so proud to have the opportunity to watch our State Government in action.

Below is a photo gallery of a ride we took with some friends in Sacramento along with photos from the Rally and the Capitol...