AMA'S MORELAND NAMED TO FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADVISORY GROUP
--AMA meets with NHTSA Administrator Nason --
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PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has
announced that Edward Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government
Relations, has been named to the newly created Motorcyclist Advisory
Council to the Federal Highway Administration.
The ten-member council, established by the federal transportation bill
passed last year, will advise the Secretary of Transportation on
infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, such as the design,
construction and maintenance of roads and barriers, as well as on the
implementation of intelligent transportation system technology.
"It's an honor to represent the AMA and the motorcycling community on
this important council, and I look forward to being part of meaningful
discussions that lead to reducing the risks faced by American
motorcyclists," said Moreland. "I'm also encouraged by the
makeup of the
council -- I believe that this diverse group of concerned professionals
will have a positive impact on the issues we're charged with
addressing."
Joining Moreland on the council are: Jeff Hennie, Vice President for
Government Relations, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, which was
instrumental in the council's formation; Ken Kiphart, Chairperson and a
member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of State
Motorcycle State Administrators and Administrator of the Nevada
Department of Public Safety; Darrel Killion, State Coordinator for ABATE
of South Dakota; Steven P. Zimmer, State Executive Director, ABATE of
Ohio; Gerald J. Salontai, President and CEO of Kleinfelder, Inc.; Robert
J. McClune, Executive Vice President and General Manager of North
American Potters Industries; Kathy Van Kleeck, Vice President for
Government Relations, Motorcycle Safety Foundation; Mark Bloschock,
Manager, Special Projects Branch, Texas Department of Transportation;
and Donald Vaughn, Chief Engineer/Deputy Director of Operations, Alabama
Department of Transportation.
Moreland was recommended to the Motorcyclist Advisory Council by U.S.
Senator James Inhofe (Oklahoma), and by U.S. Representatives Sherwood
Boehlert (New York), Peter DeFazio (Oregon), Sam Graves (Missouri) and
Thomas Petri (Wisconsin), as well as by Harley-Davidson Motor Company
and the AMA.
The Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration
will hold its first meeting on October 24 in Washington, DC. To view the
Federal Register announcement on this topic, visit
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo
.gov/2006/E6-16516.htm.
-- AMA meets with NHTSA Administrator Nason --
AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward Moreland met with
Nicole Nason, NHTSA Administrator, yesterday to welcome her to that
role, which she assumed on May 31, 2006.
Nason, whose father was a motorcycle patrol officer in Long Island, New
York, expressed her concern about the rising number of motorcycling
fatalities and her desire to work with the AMA to help reduce those
fatalities. She also conveyed the importance that motorcycle safety has
to new Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, a motorcyclist herself.
Moreland outlined the AMA's positions and described its work in the area
of motorcycle safety -- spearheading the efforts to fund a comprehensive
crash study, the AMA-NHTSA partnership on the award-winning "Ride
Straight" program, the new series of AMA-produced radio and
television
PSAs, and the Association's advocacy for more available and affordable
rider education.
"I'm impressed with Ms. Nason's knowledge of motorcycling issues, and
the AMA applauds NHTSA's efforts in arranging quarterly meetings with
the motorcycling community -- it's a great forum in which to cooperate
on improving motorcycle safety," said Moreland. "The AMA looks
forward
to working with Ms. Nason during her tenure as Administrator."