George Phillips & Pattie Pierce-Phillips

This month marks the 16th anniversary of one couple's venture into motorcycle rights. Although prior articles have been about individuals, most people who know George & Pattie think of them in the plural and the majority of their contributions to ABATE were as a couple.

In mid 1987, George Phillips was talking with a friend and the conversation turned to ABATE.

George decided to attend a meeting at the old VFW on Platte River Drive. He says there were only 6 people there and the meeting lasted 25 minutes. The Spokesman was passed around as a one page newsletter. ABATE's reputation was on the rocks after a failed motorcycle raffle and some financial mismanagement within the organization, but it looked to George like the few remaining members were trying to do something to improve the situation. He continued to go, and Pattie started going with him. They joined ABATE in July, 1987.

Shortly after joining, Pattie became treasurer, first for the state (of which there was only one district), and then for District 5. All together she handled the ABATE books for about 10 or 11 years.

When Pattie wasn't crunching the organization's meager numbers, she was donating her artistic talents. Much of Pattie's artwork is still seen today – especially on District 5 event t-shirts. Among the more well-known are: the old D-5 logo (the skyline with the riders & the big 5 in the middle), the original Brass Monkey (gorilla on the bike) t-shirts, and the original After Sturgis (pigs roasting the biker) and Undaytona Party (drunk croc and shark ogling biker babe) designs.

George followed Bob Liepold as District 5 Rep. He held that position for 1 year – a new job working nights caused him to step down after one term, feeling he couldn't devote the time the struggling organization deserved.

George remembers the attempts that were made to increase the membership and bring credibility back to ABATE. The district held a chili feed to benefit the Bruce Randolph charity. It was a failure with only 14 people showing up. Jack Portice donated a booth at the Denver Show & Swap which was held at the Regency Hotel that year. They signed up a few members (including yours truly), but not many. Times were so bad in ABATE they had drawn up a list of assets in case the organization had to be dissolved.

Things finally started looking up for ABATE. District 5 decided to try one more fundraiser. There was a concern they wouldn't be able to recoup expenses but, by this time, members felt there was no where to go but up. The members jumped in to give ABATE one last shot in the arm, donating their time and money.

George Phillips

Patti Phillips

Maggot Mike brought his pig cooker and donated the pig. 2-Wheelers donated a barn, Pattie donated flyers and bought beer at a discount (yes, in the old days ABATE did have keggers). Pattie worked the gate and they hoped for the best. George says the party was a great success, with lots of people showing up – “We signed up about 75 or 100 members and had to go get more beer.”

Today, George and Pattie remain involved. George says, that although his job (and Pattie's health) keeps him from attending many meetings, he still writes letters and makes phone calls on legislative issues and he still attends as many ABATE events as he can. He says “ABATE is a strong force now and well-respected.” He talks about what a long way we've come since the old days when we weren't sure if we were going to be around another day. He feels he and Pattie are among the “lucky few” – those members who were around when ABATE was at its worst but were able to help make it what it is today.

Thanks, George and Pattie.