"JT" receives ABATE recognition

Kevin McKee

The January meeting of ABATE of Kansas District 9 was graced with a local celebrity. JT a “DJ” with a Wichita radio station “107.3 the Brew” was invited to attend the meeting in order to receive the recognition that he has earned for his tireless work and dedication to motorcycle awareness, motorcyclist’s rights and ABATE of Kansas.

Upon accepting the plaque JT proceeded to relate his history in the motorcycle rights and awareness arenas. JT has been a “biker” for about 46 years and heavily involved in awareness and our rights for 40 of those years. It began for him in Iowa in 1970. There were no formal organizations at that time, so any issues were hard to take to the legislation. He became a member of ABATE of Iowa around 1973. His involvement there then led him to ABATE of Missouri/Freedom of the Road Riders, and then to ABATE of Kansas, where he is currently a member. He served on the board of the original Mid South Mile. In 1974 JT was part of a lawsuit that resulted in an injunction against a Nebraska helmet law. In 1976 the national helmet law was repealed after work done by many, many people just like JT. He went on to say that the “feds” have tried in the past to “hold federal money to the state hostage, if a helmet law isn’t passed” and that we need to let our representatives know how we feel before it happens.

JT told the group “My momma was the last to tell me how to dress and I don’t believe the government has a right to do it”. When applauded for all he has done and continues to do for ABATE of Kansas, JT said “I am lucky enough that the radio station gives me a microphone and lets me loose on the radio, and I am going to keep doing what I do, as long as I can. If you are a listener of his radio show, you can help but hear something about motorcycle awareness or our rights, and not just one or twice either. JT is better than any public service announcement that we as an organization could get, as he lives this every day and if you listen to him either on the radio or in person, you can feel the passion that he has for the causes that we stand for.

JT is a biker first and a DJ second and I would like to thank him again for ALL that he does for ABATE of Kansas and especially Districts 8 and 9.

JT can be contacted at jtrocks@1073theroad.com