Nomination form for the 2009 Freedom Fighters (PDF)

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is pleased to announce this year's inductee to the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame - Jay Jackson of Indiana. The Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame recognizes the commitment and sacrifices individuals across the nation, and world, have made to protect the rights of motorcyclists. In their honor the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame established the nation's first and only Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame.

Jay Jackson started his association with ABATE of Indiana in 1983 by volunteering as a county representative. Shortly after that, he earned his certification to instructor for the Motorcycle Safety Division. He was hired by ABATE of Indiana as Motorcycle Safety Director in 1996 and in 1999-2000 he was named Chief Instructor. Jay became Executive Director of ABATE while maintaining his position with the MSD in September of 2002. In addition to seven Board of Directors' meetings and seven Advisory Committee meetings each year, Jay is directly responsible for ABATE's numerous annual events, which include ABATE Day at the State House, ABATE Kids' Day at the State House, ABATE Awards Banquet, MSD Awards Banquet, MSD Instructor Update, Boogie, Workers' Party, and Fall Seminar, to name a few. ABATE of Indiana, through Jay, is particularly involved with the Motorcycle Expo, Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital, and now the Indianapolis MotoGP.

Many who are involved in ABATE of Indiana credit Jay with bringing ABATE back from the brink of bankruptcy in 2002. Jay is, or has been, involved with politics on an individual level as a voter, a local politician as a member of his Township Advisory Board, a registered lobbyist on the state level, and he serves on the national MRF's Board of Directors. Jay fights for the interests of all motorcyclists, local, state and national, in his various positions in the motorcycling communities. With Jay at the helm, ABATE of Indiana lobbied and rescinded a $10 registration fee placed on Indiana motorcyclists in 2007. This was a difficult task to undertake, essentially reversing a law that had passed under the radar the prior year, but Jay was ever vigilant in seeking justice for the motorcyclists of Indiana.

Jackson will be honored at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast, Wednesday, August 5th, at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Breakfast tickets are available for a $25.00 donation, tables of eight for $250.00. Tickets can be purchased through the Museum 605.347.2001 or on line www.sturgismuseum.com.