AMA APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF MOTORCYCLIST KEMPTHORNE FOR INTERIOR PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced its support of Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, who was nominated yesterday by President Bush to be the 49th Secretary of the Interior. The nomination of Kempthorne, an avid street motorcyclist and off-highway enthusiast, was announced yesterday during a ceremony at the White House. If confirmed by the Senate, Kempthorne would succeed current Interior Secretary Gale Norton. “The AMA congratulates Governor Kempthorne on his nomination, and we believe that it’s a promising sign for the future of responsible off-highway recreation,” said Edward Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations. “American motorcyclists, both street riders and off-highway riders, can be proud that the President has nominated one of our own to fill this important position.” Kempthorne is serving his second term as Idaho’s Governor; he was first elected in 1998, after a six-year term in the U.S. Senate. In 2003, the AMA honored him with the AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award, recognizing his efforts to fund and protect access to public riding areas for off-highway riding, as well as the positive image he projects as a street rider. The Department of Interior is responsible for managing national parks and public lands, conserving natural resources, and pursuing environmentally responsible recreation and development on federal lands and waters. The American Motorcyclist Association: rights. riding. racing. Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with more than 270,000 members. The Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com, or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN.