Who was the first person to want motorcycle helmet laws passed?

Either the owner of an insurance company, an elected Democrat, or both.

Background:

In 1966, the US Department of Transportation threatened to withhold millions of dollars in highway funds from states that chose not to implement mandatory helmet laws. As a result of this, the United States became a country of helmeted riders. Congress later revoked the Department of Transportation's authority to impose such sanctions against the states in 1976, leaving every state the option of having a helmet law only if they see fit.