[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 61 (Friday, April 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLUE KNIGHTS INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 
                            MOTORCYCLE CLUB

 Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
acknowledge the 25th year anniversary of the Blue Knights International 
Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.
  The Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club is a 
fraternal organization of law enforcement professionals and their 
families actively serving communities throughout the United States, 
Canada, Australia, France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, 
Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Mexico.
  This fraternal organization was established in Bangor, Maine, in 1974 
and has grown to more than 10,000 members both male and female. They 
share a common bond of promoting motorcycling, which includes safety 
and awareness to the non-motorcycle riding public.
  In addition, the Blue Knights also assists many organizations and 
communities with developing and implementing fund-raising programs such 
as the March of Dimes ``Bikers for Babies,'' the Muscular Dystrophy 
Association, the Breast Cancer Foundation's ``Race for the Cure'' and 
the Blue Knights ``Youth Identification Program.'' The combined efforts 
of the Blue Knights has made a positive contribution to society.
  The Blue Knights began in April 1974 when Ed Gallant, a police 
officer with the Bangor Police Department, had an idea and several of 
his colleagues worked with him to see the idea become a reality. The 
idea was to form a motorcycle club for people in law enforcement. The 
news of the Blue Knights organization spread after an article in the 
Bangor Daily News was picked up by U.P.I. inquiries started pouring in 
and consequently chapters started to form worldwide.
  As an honorary member of the Blue Knights, I have had the privilege 
of meeting numerous members from around the world and participate in 
many worthy causes. On this, their 25th anniversary, I applaud the 
efforts of the Blue Knights and look forward to learning of their 
future successes.

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