Trucking Advocate and Activist Allen Smith of TruthAboutTrucking.com : Articles Current News and Information for CDL Truck Drivers and Truck Driving Students…"Raising the Standards of the Trucking Industry"
On Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 the Trucker iphone application booth at GATS launched its PC Miler Navigator 430 GPS System Give-A-Way. The lucky winner was Jeanie Cummings who had placed her name in the drawing as did her husband, Ron who’s a driver.
Donna presented Mrs. Cummings with the GPS system, valued at $349.00 and her excitement was apparent!
Congratulations to the winner of the “Trucker App” GPS Give-A-Way and I bet Ron will be running down the road very soon with their new Navigator 430!
The 2009 Great American Trucking Show pulled off another great event this year. As the 2nd largest trucking show in America, those nice rigs … and I mean those REALLY nice rigs … were nothing but shine!
For those who have received our eBook: The Best Truck Driving Jobs . . . A State by State Guide, you already know about John Christner Trucking out of Oklahoma. An excellent owner-operator company, plus . . . a fellow “Okie.” But check out their rig from the 2009 GATS event:
Eye catching rig, don’t you think? John Christner Trucking was just one of many on display this year and we are already looking forward to GATS 2010!
The 2009 Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Texas came to a close yesterday but there was a lot of fun and informative works that took place during the three day event. Our booth for “Trucker” – the world’s first iPhone application for the trucking industry, was well received and Donna did a great job with the much appreciative help and assistance of Trucker Desiree.
Also on hand, and giving much of his time in helping out was Daniel Audet of The Truck Star and Truck Star Radio. We will be posting more pictures and stories from the event and would like to thank everyone for their help during the event. It was a big three days but well worth the time and effort. Donna also finally got to meet the Rivenburgs and family of Jason’s Law, and we will be sharing all the pictures as they come in, right here on our blog.
Also, we will be posting the winner of the PC Miler GPS System very soon. My understanding is that a lucky lady from Texas claimed the prize that was donated by GoTruckStop. She was one happy winner!
Check back later, as there will be more posts coming about the GATS event of 2009.
An important reminder that we will be giving away a PC Miler Navigator 430 GPS System on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas. If you can make it to the show, we will be in Booth #21149 for the Trucker App display. The actual drawing will take place at 12:00 noon and the lucky winner will walk away with a brand new GPS system ($349.00 Value).
Special thanks to the nets truckers online gift store, GoTruckStop.com for donating the Navigator 430. GATS will get under way on Thursday, August 20 and run through Saturday, August 22nd. Be sure to swing by the Trucker App booth and put in your name for the GPS drawing!
Because of YOUR support and dedication to the cause, Jason’s Law will be attending the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Texas. Your donation(s) have insured that Hope Rivenburg and family members will have the opportunity to keep this important issue out in the open, and to continue forward in achieving the final goal: to pass H.R. 2156 into law.
We can never take anything for granted, especially those decisions which ultimately come from within the Washington beltway. We must continue to push forward and let our voices be heard through various means: blog posts, emails, letters, phone calls . . . even if we believe that Jason’s Law will pass with flying colors, we can never assume that it is a “done deal.” We need to continue on by never allowing our support to grow quiet just because we think “that it’s going to pass anyway.”
With Jason’s Law now headed to GATS, this is only one aspect of the two part goal. Now, let’s keep working to insure . . . to be certain . . . that Jason’s Law will, in fact, become law. Safe and secure parking areas for our nation’s truck drivers will certainly add to the equation of preventing such tragedies from happening to another driver and family. Even if it is just one driver, that would be one life saved, one family spared.
Thanks to all of you who donated to the Jason’s Law GATS cause. As trucking companies and organizations chose not to donate, truck drivers and non-truckers alike, came together and showed that even a “small group” of people can make a difference. We are ecstatic about the large anonymous donations that came in the weekend of the 25th. Your generous donations are now over $2,800.00, plus the GATS booth which is valued at $1200, donated by gotruckstop.com. The Rivenburgs are going to Dallas!
Be it one dollar or five hundred dollars, your donation is the reason that H.R. 2156 will have a place at the Great American Trucking Show. There is no purpose in showing “who” donated, because they did not do it for recognition . . . they did not allow ego’s to stand in the way for supporting a worthy cause. It was done for the simple fact alone, that Jason’s Law is an important and vital bill that needs to be passed to insure safe and secure parking for the millions of professional truck drivers who keep America moving every day.
H.R. 2156 will be at GATS, thanks to all of you. YOU did it.
Let’s keep pushing forward . . . keep working to bring H.R. 2156 into law. Do not “assume” that the goal has been accomplished. It reminds me of a saying that an instructor always told me:
“Never claim victory, until the battle has been won.”
Because of YOU, Jason’s Law will seek further support at GATS . . . keep sounding your voices . . . keep signing the petition.
The brotherhood of truckers. It’s out there … still … I’m sure of it. Your support of Jason’s Law has generated, at this point, 7582 signatures on the Jason’s Lawpetition. Your support is greatly appreciated. Many of us are working together to help raise the funds needed to assist the Rivenburg’s in attending The Great American Trucking Show, coming up in August in Dallas, Texas.
To date, all donations have come from truckers, non-truckers and many great trucking related websites. Apparently, trucking companies and the large trucking organizations who boast about their support for drivers and the industry, do only that – “boast.” Practically, each State has their own Trucking Association, however, have yet to step up and respond by donating even just a few dollars to this important step in moving the H. R. 2156 bill further into the public spotlight.
Getting Jason’s Law to The Great American Trucking Show would do just that.
GoTruckStop.com has donated their booth to the Rivenburg family and have set up a donation page to achieve this critical issue. The trucking companies, organizations and associations appear to be leaving the responsibility up to the truckers, individuals and those hosting various sites related to our nation’s truck drivers and the industry. These are the real “movers and shakers” who believe that the “brotherhood” still exist.
Help bring the Rivenburg family to the truck show in Dallas. Any amount of donation is appreciated and will further the cause in Jason’s Law.
For the last few days there’s been a drive to try to assist Hope Rivenburg and family of slain trucker, Jason Rivenburg, to attend GATS!
The family plans on attending GATS in order to ensure that the Bill HR 2156 ( Jasons Law) is passed. They want to reach out to as many drivers as possible so they understand the importance of supporting “Jason’s Law” which will be part of a pilot program, expanding the amount of safe parking, therefore reducing the risk of another family experiencing the tragic loss that they have had to endure.
Shortly after the first post was written TG Graff of GoTruckStop.com immediatley responded by offering his booth to Hope and family. He has since then started a donation drive, ” Get Jasons Law to Gats” encouraging truckers from all over to donate$5.00 to the fund. It wasn’t long after that, others started to follow. Power is in numbers and we all need to help assuring that Jason’s family can attend GATS and represent the Bill which was started in his name.
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 and Marketing
GoTruckStop.com
Just a few more days remaining friends. We need approximately $2500.00 more for Hope Rivenburg and her family to be able to attend the Great American Truck Show so they can ” Get Jasons Law to Gats” We ask you to donate just a dollar or two…..that’s all.
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!
: GATS, give-a-way, gps, GPS system, pc miler navigator 430, Trucker iPhone App
Because of YOUR support and dedication to the cause, Jason’s Law will be attending the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Texas. Your donation(s) have insured that Hope Rivenburg and family members will have the opportunity to keep this important issue out in the open, and to continue forward in achieving the final goal: to pass H.R. 2156 into law.
