So far , we have talked only about the tragedies surrounding these machines . Let us shift gears . Let us talk about the 600 ATV ' s owned and operated by the U . S . Forest Service . Or how about the U . S . Border Patrol utilizing ATV ' s to help secure our borders ? Or how about the ATV as a vehicle used by the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers , and the only one allowed by them to be driven across earthen dams for inspections like the ones we have in Idaho ? And how about search and rescue teams who use ATV ' s to reach places no other motorized vehicles can go to help save lives not take them .

The Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola , the San Bernardino County Sheriff ' s Department , the Mississippi Farm Bureau , the Phoenix Police Department , the Alabama Department of Conserva tion and Natural Resources , Ed Pratt of Connecticut , Mike and Bob Morgan of San Antonio , TX , Susan Halbert of Anchorage , AK , Charles Swanson of Zimmerman , MN , and Margaret Jones of Ana heim , CA , and I might state my father , 67 - year - old Elvin Craig of Midvale , ID , who rides them daily to irrigate - all have something in common : They own , ride and safely use ATV ' s . They all fear our Government wants to take them away .

Mr . Chairman , I think their feelings and those of thousands of other Americans can best be summed up by a statement made by Keith Gauer , an ATV rider from North Carolina , who said : I ' ll be damned if I ' ll let them take my 3 - wheeler from me .

Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Mr . Chairman , I would also like to ask unanimous consent to insert in the record a letter from Walter Payton , a great running back of the Chicago Bears , who had hoped to be with us today to share his thoughts on three - wheeler all - ter rain vehicles . Now , although he is a public figure , Mr . Payton is an avid rider of ATV ' s and knows how to handle them well . But he could not leave the Bears ' training camp , and I would like to insert in the record the letter that he sent to us .

Dear Congressman Craig : As an off - road rider enthusiast for many years and more recently an avid ATV rider , it has been my observation that many of the people that use these vehicles do so without the proper safety equipment or little regard for the vehicle or terrain limitations . A great percentage of the people can be seen riding without helmets . This is one of the most basic items of safety equipment . These vehicles are not meant to carry passengers , and many people appear to disre gard the warnings that are placed on the vehicle . From my own experience I would say it is just like playing football . When you play you have to wear proper gear : helmets , shoulder pads , knee pads , etc . Without the proper gear and the safety it provides , football wouldn ' t be quite as fun . Sincerely , Walter Payton .

Mr . BARNARD . Without objection , the letter will be entered into the record .

[ The letter follows : ]