by Donna Smith
Will Hope Rivenburg and Family be at GATS? With a little help from…….. OOIDA or the ATA
The families of Murdered Truck Driver Jason Rivenburg are continuing their campaign for “Jason’s Law”, H.R.2156, which will implement a pilot program to address shortages in safe parking for commercial motor vehicles on our National Highway System. It is necessary that we continue to collect as many signatures on the petition as possible in order to ensure the passing of the bill. Jason’s Law will create the 6 year Pilot Program in the amount of 120 million dollars in grants over a 5 year period.The legislation allows the Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with appropriate State, regional, and local governments, to allocate funds to improve rest areas that serve the National Highway System.
Whenever I speak to Hope Rivenburg ( Jason’s Widow), gratitude just pours out of her. It’s quite humbling to speak to someone who has gone through so much, and yet so much of her words are in appreciation of others. She appreciates all the websites and blogs who have helped in the support of “Jason’s Law”, no matter how small or large they are, all the individuals who have expressed their most sincere condolences, and everyone who has signed the petition.
Along with the many individuals, trucking blogs and websites such as this one, there are 2 major organizations who are supporting Jason’s Law… OOIDA and The ATA.
During my conversations with Hope, she has expressed that she is also very grateful for the support of both The ATA and OOIDA . She said that OOIDA wished her the very best in all her endeavors when she had first contacted them about the proposed bill . Hope said that it wasn’t too long after though, when Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) released the draft of the bill “Jason’s Law” or H.R. 2156, they came to bat and supported the family and the bill through magazine postings and calls to action.
Hope and her family initially met with Congressman Tonko on March 14th, 2 days after Jason’s funeral, in a coffee shop in New York State, to discuss the need of the bill. Since that first meeting, Hope and her family members have worked tirelessly in order to make sure that this Law passes and that another family does not have to endure the same kind of tragedy or loss. You can read the family Journal which gives an account of the struggles and progress which they share on their Blog
On April 28th Congressman Paul Tonko introduced legislation H.R. 2156 in the House titled “Jason’s Law,” which would implement the pilot program to address shortages in safe parking. I think Paul Tonko’s name is engraved on the hearts of Jason Rivenburgs family, as well as many others who are grateful for his initiative in introducing “Jason’s Law.”
OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said Tonko’s bill is a “good one” and urges members to call their representatives and educate them about how this bill will help provide safe parking for truckers. “We need to pursue whatever is possible to expand the amount of parking in areas where it’s so desperately needed,” he said. Read the entire post here.
Shortly after, the ATA quickly jumped on board and strongly supported HR 2156 and S971. In an article posted May of this year in FleetOwner Magazine, “Jason’s Law: ATA pushes for quick passage of truck-parking measure” President and CEO Bill Graves stated, “The parking shortage for commercial motor vehicles comprises the safety of drivers out on the road and requires a comprehensive solution involving all interested parties.”
This is a time when it is necessary that we all stand together ( as we are). Drivers, Trucking Blogs and Websites, OOIDA, the ATA and everyone else who is concerned about the safety of drivers’ lives out on the road and the desire to see” Jason’s Law” a reality( not a dream) are in unison together.
This August The Rivenburg and Hardendorf family members are hoping to attend The Great American Trucking Show ( GATS) in Dallas, TX. It is their desire so set up a booth and run their campaign, to reach so many thousands more about “Jason’s Law”, providing their many pamphlets, T-shirts, bracelets, etc….educating people about the crucial need and vital importance of this legislation.
As you can imagine, cost of the trip for the family members and the added cost of a booth at GATS, can be quite expensive.
I asked Hope Rivenburg if she would accept sponsorship from either The ATA or OOIDA for their campaign at GATS. She was thrilled and deeply moved at the thought of a sponsorship.
It is at this time we would like to make our plea for Sponsorship to both the ATA and OOIDA for the Rivenburg and Hardendorf family members. Please reach out and help them, as they have endured so much, and yet remain dedicated and loyal to the cause of their passing loved one and his fellow brother and sister truck drivers. We know how important this bill is to you, imagine how much more important it is to Jason’s family. Their presence at GATS will surely impress and imprint the hearts of thousands more.
ATA and OOIDA: Please contact Hope Rivenburg for your sponsorship. God Bless You
email at : h_rivenburg@jhlrivenburg.com
We thank you all for all that you have done, continue to do, and will do, in order to ensure that “Jason’s Law” becomes a reality and that Jason Rivenburg’s death was not in vain.
Special thanks for my friends who inspire me to be a better person and to fight for the rights and betterment of others:
Desiree, Damian, Fred, JB, Daniel, and all my twitter friends!
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: ata, GATS, Hardendorf, hope rivenburg, jason rivenburg, Jason's law- H.R.2156, ooida, S.971, sponsorship
AskTheTrucker
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GREAT POST Donna! Glad to see somebody calling out, some of these big organizations to put some money where there mouths are so to speak. I think it is a fantastic idea, OOIDA alone has 160,000+ members at .50 a member, is way more than enough plus it is for a VERY good cause!
I’m surprised they haven’t thought of it themselves. I’d like to see which one of them is going to sponsor her….both? That would be an interesting booth banner…lol
[...] Along with the many individuals, blogs and websites such as this one, there are organizations who are supporting Jason’s … OOIDA and The ATA. Full Story [...]
[...] of Murdered Truck Driver Jason Rivenburg are continuing their campaign for “Jason’s … http://www.askthetrucker.com/ata-and-ooida-supports-jasons-law-will-they-sponsor-hope-rivenburg/ Daily [...]
GoTruckStop.com has stepped forward and offered Hope their booth at the GATS show. GoTruckStop.com is willing to bow out of the show, providing Hope with the venue they desire. If she is interested … the booth is hers.
Thank You! I will notify Hope, You may want to send her an email too. God Bless You!!
Donna M Smith
PS Now if OOIDA or ATA can come up with the rest of the needed travel funds this family can accomplish their mission..SAVING DRIVERS LIVES!!
Everyone!! Please Help Retweet on Twitter That
GoTruckStop.com has offered their booth!!
We will be contacting the folks at Randall-Riley & The Great American Trucking Show (GATS) to transfer our booth over to JasonsLaw, in the morning.
We are sorry to disappoint anyone that was looking forward to seeing us the show, but sometimes there things much more important than growing a business. This is one of those times.
It is our pleasure to be able to help. Hopefully OOIDA will step up and provide the carpet, table & chairs (show special package – approx $150)
Maybe we can get others to step up and help with transportation and hotel.
How about it Todd Spencer (VP at OOIDA)… you aren’t going to let this chance to help out slip by, are you??
Donna,
Thank you so much for spearheading this valiant and crucial appeal!
Hope (Rivenburg) gives ME hope! Hope that something can finally be done for the sake of truck drivers as a whole. Safety on the road is such a growing concern to us all. It’s so unfortunate that we had to lose a brother trucker (and such a devoted father!) to bring some much needed attention to our plights.
My wish is that Hope (and the entire family of Jason Rivenburg) are provided with all the help they need to fulfill their every desired goal, they are all such unselfish people. NOW is the time for all of US to be equally unselfish! Please take just a moment of your time and sign the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jhlrivenburg/ … Please help in any way possible.
I implore the ATA and OOIDA to go the “extra mile”, as TI Graff at GoTruckStop.com has done by donating their booth at GATS! Thank you so much for your generosity.
Thank you Dennis,
How could we not help? So many times I try to imagine how she feels…how his entire family feels for that matter!
Here they all are, fighting night and day….and for what?
The safety of others…to prevent their heartache and loss from ever happening to another family.
Again I say, how can we not? If we have an opportunity, either in a blog of our own, or posting on another, we are all helping.
That’s what made us(and there are quite a few) think of ATA and OOIDA. They are very strong supporters of “Jason’s Law”, and they indeed have the modest funds required to help the person who is responsible for the Law… surely they will help.
If everyone in life would take the time to put themselves in another ones shoes we would have a world of activists and not “apathists”
Donna Smith
We just set up a Donation page for Hope and Jason’s Law … to help raise money for the added expenses of attending the GATS show in Dallas Tx.
Just follow the link … and ALL donations will go to Jason’s Law for expenses at GATS.
http://www.gotruckstop.com/jasonslaw.html
Thanks again for all your help …
TJ Graff
On behalf of the Rivenburgs, Hardendorfs, and all drivers nationwide…Thank You TJ.
Your generosity and concern for “Jason’s Law” has been a blessing and a breath of fresh air within the trucking industry. We look forward to sharing this with Hope.
Allen & Donna
I just wanted to thank everyone that has donated so far to the “Get Jason’s Law to GATS” fund. As of this posting we have collected $510 … and hopefully more to come.
GoTruckStop.com is also donating the cost to provide carpeting, table, and chairs for the booth at GATS for Jason’s Law.
Won’t you please be part of this worthy cause?
Here is a chance to get up and do something that can make a difference to YOUR industry.
If we had 500 folks just simply give $5.00 (the cost of 2 Starbuck’s coffees) we would have Hope and her organization in Dallas.
How about it?
TJ Graff
Dir of Sales & Marketing
GoTruckStop.com
Thanks TG for being THE catalyst in this drive, your generosity, and for setting an example of compassion and giving.
A huge thank you also to those who have blogged, posted, twittered, IM’d, and even broadcast on their radio show…http://www.thetruckstar.com
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[...] and Donna Smith from http://www.askthetrucker.com recently did a post titled: ATA and OOIDA Support Jason Law: Will they support Hope Rivenburg? In the comments, of this you DONT see OOIDA or ATA jumping in and saying [...]