CONTACT: Jay Purdy (717) 787-7895

HARRISBURG, October 12--State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, today said the Sept. 22 ride from Harrisburg to Gettysburg organized by the Pennsylvania chapter of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education netted approximately $8,000 for the preservation of Pennsylvania monuments at Gettysburg.

Nearly 400 motorcyclists gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol for the September 22 event, then proceeded to Gettysburg in a quarter-mile-long procession led by Readshaw riding as a passenger on an ABATE officer's bike.

Participants were encouraged to display the nation's colors and American flags flew from virtually every machine. "It was truly an awesome experience," said Readshaw. "The deep rumble of the bikes and the fluttering flags as we wound our way through Harrisburg made it seem like I was at the head of a huge living creature - like a giant patriotic centipede."

Each participant paid $10 to take part and several local ABATE groups and businesses, including Harley-Davidson, made substantial contributions.

The ride ended at the Daniel Lady Farm, owned by the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association. In a ceremony at the farm, Readshaw presented Pennsylvania ABATE Director of Government Relations Charles C. Umbenhour a legislative citation in recognition of the organization's assistance with the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project.

Readshaw noted ABATE's history of raising funds for historic preservation and other worthy causes in the Commonwealth, dating back to a 1985 donation to help preserve the flags of the Pennsylvania regiments that fought in the Civil War.

The funds raised for the monuments by ABATE will go into trust funds for any future restoration and maintenance work the monuments may require.