Ken in KC
06-23-2004, 12:50 PM
Begin forwarded message:
*
From: Jenn Dice <je-@imba.com>;
Date: June 22, 2004 1:14:52 PM CDT
To: "KEN MINER" <kmi-@minertech.com>;
Subject: IMBA REP ACTION ALERT: Call your U.S. Rep Today for the Rec
Trails Program
Dear IMBA Reps and Board,
IMBA needs your help calling members of the U.S. House of
Representatives (TODAY) to support the Recreational Trails Program.
BACKGROUND
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is one small part of the
nation's transportation bill. It means big money for IMBA clubs,
singletrack trails and mountain biking. The House and Senate both
passed a bill and now key negotiators from each side will decide what
happens with the overall transportation bill and with our Recreational
Trails Program.
Here's the deal: Representative Jon Porter (R-NV) is asking his fellow
Representatives to sign a "Dear Colleague" letter asking House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK)
to support the House level of funding for the Recreational Trails
Program ($503 million). This is the same thing IMBA lobbied for on
Monday, June 7, during our day on Capitol Hill and is highlighted in
your last issue of IMBA Trail News. Porter is hoping that 50
Representatives, from both parties, will sign this letter by the end
of this week (June 25). A Dear Colleague letter is a common way for a
members of Congress to show support on an issue.
MAKE A QUICK PHONE CALL
Here's how you can help: Call the transportation staffer for your U.S.
Representative (to find your representative type in your zip code at
http://www.house.gov/ or if you already know their name the Capitol
switchboard is at 202-224-3121).
Tell them that Representative Porter is circulating a Dear Colleague
letter in support of the House Recreational Trails Program. Ask him or
her if the Representative will consider signing on to the letter.
Porter's office has distributed info to all House offices, but it's
very common that these things get lost in the shuffle. Your staffer
might say "send me the letter and we'll take a look." It's copied
below. Or they might say "I'll talk to Porter's office, who do I call
over there?" Mr. Porter’s staffer for this is Mike McEleney at
202-225-3252 and email is Mike.Mc-@mail.house.gov.
If you get their voice mail, follow up with an email copy of the "Dear
Colleague" letter from below and your request for them to sign on.
You can ask the receptionist for their email address. Say you
represent IMBA in their state and congressional district and maybe
mention the number of mountain bikers in the area/your clubs. Feel
free to call back.
Signing on to this letter is a simple way for Representatives to show
support for the program. Don't be discouraged if they say "we're not
interested," as at least you reminded them that the program is
important and that you're paying attention to their actions and the
process. Since IMBA had 150 meetings on Capitol Hill the week before
last, they may already be familiar with IMBA and the RTP. Now is the
time to ask them to take action by signing this letter and confirming
their commitment to RTP.
BACKGROUND INFO AND TALKING POINTS
The difference between the Senate ($360 million) and the House version
($503 million) of the bill means big money. In California it means
$24 million to $34 million, Michigan $10 million to $15 million, etc.
You can read IMBA's fact sheet and see the difference in funding for
your state at: http://www.imba.com/summit_lobby_xtra.html#RTP
DROP THE NAMES OF SOME RTP TRAILS IN YOUR AREA
If you want to drop the names of a few Recreational Trails Program
funded trails, visit the RTP website database as you can search by
state and by congressional district.
http://www.funoutdoors.info/intermediate.html
If you aren't able to do this, please ask someone else you trust from
your state to place the call and forward this email to them. Please
keep me posted on any responses you receive and feel free to call me
if you have any questions.
MAKE YOUR CALLS TODAY!
Right now is THE most critical time for the Recreational Trails
Program for the next six years (provided they actually pass the bill).
IMBA wants to do everything we possibly can to support the House
level of funding at $503 million...which can build A LOT of
singletrack trail!
Thanks again for making the calls today,
Jenn
--
Jenn Dice -- Government Affairs Director
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Phone: (303) 545 9011x103 Fax: (303) 545 9026
E-mail: je-@imba.com Website: http://www.imba.com
--
Copy of Recreational Trails Program “Dear Colleague” Letter
Circulating by Congressman Porter
Dear Colleague,
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides annual funding to every
state in the nation to develop and maintain recreational trails and
trail-related facilities for motorized and non-motorized uses. As an
avid runner, I have seen first-hand the benefits of the Recreational
Trails Program in my home state of Nevada.
Examples of RTP funded trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line
skating, cross-county skiing, ATV riding, and off-highway
motorcycling. More than 5,500 recreational trail projects have been
funded since 1993. The Recreational Trails Program greatly enhances
our quality of life and helps to promote recreational participation at
a time when our nation faces serious health concerns stemming from a
lack of physical activity. Continued funding and enhancement of the
RTP program is vital for providing and improving recreational
opportunities.
I urge you to join me by signing on to the following letter to the
highway bill conferees, expressing support for the level of funding
for recreational trails contained in HR 3550, the Transportation
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. It is important to continue supporting
this program and further the momentum generated by the increase in RTP
funding in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21). Please contact Mike McEleney on my staff at 5-3252 to sign
on or for any additional information.
**************************************** ***********************
Sincerely,
**************************************** ***********************Jon
Porter
************************Member of Congress
----
Letter that will be sent to Congressman Don Young, Chairman of the
Conference Committee with all the signatures IMBA gets this week from
members of Congress!
The Honorable Don Young
Chairman
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2165 RHOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Young:
We are writing to you today to strongly support maintaining funding
for the recreational trails program at or above the level of funding
contained in the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(TEA-LU). This level, which passed the House with wide bi-partisan
support on April 2, 2004 by 357-65, is essential for ensuring that our
constituents continue to benefit from the immense benefits
recreational trails provide for offroading, biking, horseback riding,
hiking and cross country skiing.
As you know, funds for the recreational trails program are generated
from federal fuel taxes collected on off-road vehicles, creating a
bond between those who pay the tax and those who benefit from it- in
fact the funding provided in the House passed version of TEA-LU is
still less than 50 percent of the user fees paid by trail enthusiasts.
The recreational trails program is a vital part of America's natural
heritage and tourism industry, benefiting our environment and creating
jobs in every state. As House and Senate conferees continue their work
on TEA-LU we thank you for your continued support for the recreational
trails program and urge you to keep it at or above the House passed
levels.
*
From: Jenn Dice <je-@imba.com>;
Date: June 22, 2004 1:14:52 PM CDT
To: "KEN MINER" <kmi-@minertech.com>;
Subject: IMBA REP ACTION ALERT: Call your U.S. Rep Today for the Rec
Trails Program
Dear IMBA Reps and Board,
IMBA needs your help calling members of the U.S. House of
Representatives (TODAY) to support the Recreational Trails Program.
BACKGROUND
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is one small part of the
nation's transportation bill. It means big money for IMBA clubs,
singletrack trails and mountain biking. The House and Senate both
passed a bill and now key negotiators from each side will decide what
happens with the overall transportation bill and with our Recreational
Trails Program.
Here's the deal: Representative Jon Porter (R-NV) is asking his fellow
Representatives to sign a "Dear Colleague" letter asking House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK)
to support the House level of funding for the Recreational Trails
Program ($503 million). This is the same thing IMBA lobbied for on
Monday, June 7, during our day on Capitol Hill and is highlighted in
your last issue of IMBA Trail News. Porter is hoping that 50
Representatives, from both parties, will sign this letter by the end
of this week (June 25). A Dear Colleague letter is a common way for a
members of Congress to show support on an issue.
MAKE A QUICK PHONE CALL
Here's how you can help: Call the transportation staffer for your U.S.
Representative (to find your representative type in your zip code at
http://www.house.gov/ or if you already know their name the Capitol
switchboard is at 202-224-3121).
Tell them that Representative Porter is circulating a Dear Colleague
letter in support of the House Recreational Trails Program. Ask him or
her if the Representative will consider signing on to the letter.
Porter's office has distributed info to all House offices, but it's
very common that these things get lost in the shuffle. Your staffer
might say "send me the letter and we'll take a look." It's copied
below. Or they might say "I'll talk to Porter's office, who do I call
over there?" Mr. Porter’s staffer for this is Mike McEleney at
202-225-3252 and email is Mike.Mc-@mail.house.gov.
If you get their voice mail, follow up with an email copy of the "Dear
Colleague" letter from below and your request for them to sign on.
You can ask the receptionist for their email address. Say you
represent IMBA in their state and congressional district and maybe
mention the number of mountain bikers in the area/your clubs. Feel
free to call back.
Signing on to this letter is a simple way for Representatives to show
support for the program. Don't be discouraged if they say "we're not
interested," as at least you reminded them that the program is
important and that you're paying attention to their actions and the
process. Since IMBA had 150 meetings on Capitol Hill the week before
last, they may already be familiar with IMBA and the RTP. Now is the
time to ask them to take action by signing this letter and confirming
their commitment to RTP.
BACKGROUND INFO AND TALKING POINTS
The difference between the Senate ($360 million) and the House version
($503 million) of the bill means big money. In California it means
$24 million to $34 million, Michigan $10 million to $15 million, etc.
You can read IMBA's fact sheet and see the difference in funding for
your state at: http://www.imba.com/summit_lobby_xtra.html#RTP
DROP THE NAMES OF SOME RTP TRAILS IN YOUR AREA
If you want to drop the names of a few Recreational Trails Program
funded trails, visit the RTP website database as you can search by
state and by congressional district.
http://www.funoutdoors.info/intermediate.html
If you aren't able to do this, please ask someone else you trust from
your state to place the call and forward this email to them. Please
keep me posted on any responses you receive and feel free to call me
if you have any questions.
MAKE YOUR CALLS TODAY!
Right now is THE most critical time for the Recreational Trails
Program for the next six years (provided they actually pass the bill).
IMBA wants to do everything we possibly can to support the House
level of funding at $503 million...which can build A LOT of
singletrack trail!
Thanks again for making the calls today,
Jenn
--
Jenn Dice -- Government Affairs Director
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Phone: (303) 545 9011x103 Fax: (303) 545 9026
E-mail: je-@imba.com Website: http://www.imba.com
--
Copy of Recreational Trails Program “Dear Colleague” Letter
Circulating by Congressman Porter
Dear Colleague,
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides annual funding to every
state in the nation to develop and maintain recreational trails and
trail-related facilities for motorized and non-motorized uses. As an
avid runner, I have seen first-hand the benefits of the Recreational
Trails Program in my home state of Nevada.
Examples of RTP funded trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line
skating, cross-county skiing, ATV riding, and off-highway
motorcycling. More than 5,500 recreational trail projects have been
funded since 1993. The Recreational Trails Program greatly enhances
our quality of life and helps to promote recreational participation at
a time when our nation faces serious health concerns stemming from a
lack of physical activity. Continued funding and enhancement of the
RTP program is vital for providing and improving recreational
opportunities.
I urge you to join me by signing on to the following letter to the
highway bill conferees, expressing support for the level of funding
for recreational trails contained in HR 3550, the Transportation
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. It is important to continue supporting
this program and further the momentum generated by the increase in RTP
funding in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21). Please contact Mike McEleney on my staff at 5-3252 to sign
on or for any additional information.
**************************************** ***********************
Sincerely,
**************************************** ***********************Jon
Porter
************************Member of Congress
----
Letter that will be sent to Congressman Don Young, Chairman of the
Conference Committee with all the signatures IMBA gets this week from
members of Congress!
The Honorable Don Young
Chairman
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2165 RHOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Young:
We are writing to you today to strongly support maintaining funding
for the recreational trails program at or above the level of funding
contained in the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(TEA-LU). This level, which passed the House with wide bi-partisan
support on April 2, 2004 by 357-65, is essential for ensuring that our
constituents continue to benefit from the immense benefits
recreational trails provide for offroading, biking, horseback riding,
hiking and cross country skiing.
As you know, funds for the recreational trails program are generated
from federal fuel taxes collected on off-road vehicles, creating a
bond between those who pay the tax and those who benefit from it- in
fact the funding provided in the House passed version of TEA-LU is
still less than 50 percent of the user fees paid by trail enthusiasts.
The recreational trails program is a vital part of America's natural
heritage and tourism industry, benefiting our environment and creating
jobs in every state. As House and Senate conferees continue their work
on TEA-LU we thank you for your continued support for the recreational
trails program and urge you to keep it at or above the House passed
levels.