WHEREAS, the motorcycle is an important and economical mode of transportation involving such activities as commuting, touring and recreation, and can be an aid to agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, the motorcycle promotes tourism and friendship by attracting riders from throughout the United States and many foreign countries through various clubs and organizations; and

     WHEREAS, since motorcycles lack the protective armor of trucks and automobiles which increases the risk of serious accidental injury and death for motorcyclists, all motorists need to operate with caution near motorcycles; and

     WHEREAS, due to the increased number of motorcycles on the roads and highways of our state and throughout the nation and because motorcycle awareness and safety is a concern to all, it is appropriate to set aside a time to alert motorists to the number of motorcyclists on the roads and to help motorcyclists become aware of the ways they can promote safety;

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2004, to be

MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH

in Idaho, and I urge all our citizens to be aware of and support the various Motorcycle Awareness Rallies on May 1, 2004, sponsored by the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety and A.B.A.T.E. of North Idaho. I also encourage all government agencies, civic and service organizations, drivers and riders to join in a concerted effort to make motorcycling a safe activity in our state through support of the Idaho STAR program, which is aimed at educating and training both young and adult motorcycle operators and other vehicle operators, so that mutual respect and increased awareness will exist on our Idaho streets and highways.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord two-thousand and four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred twenty-eighth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred fourteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE