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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 1994)
State & Local Page 2 The Battalion Tuesday, April 11 ' U esday, js Richards fights for Texas at Pentagon Governor lobbies for planes, bases The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Texas Gov. Ann Richards on Monday faulted the State Department for having denied Lockheed Corp. permis sion to display its Texas-ouilt F- 1 6 fighter at an air show in Chile. “I think it is very shortsight ed,” the governor told reporters before discussing the decision with Defense Secretary William Perry and other high-ranking Pentagon officials. ‘‘There seems to be some re luctance on the part of the State Department to have us fully par ticipate as we should in opportu nities to sell the F-1 6 in foreign countries — Chile to be specif ic,” the governor said outside the Pentagon. Some of the F-16’s foreign competitors were on display in Santiago at the FIDAE ’94 air show three weeks ago, including Russia’s Mig-29 and Su-27; France’s Mirage 2000; and a mockup of Sweden’s experimen tal Gripen, said Lockheed spokesman Joe Stout in Fort Worth. ‘‘It placed us at a disadvan tage,” he said. Echoed Richards: “My con cern is whether or not the State Department is going to allow American firms to be competi tive with other foreign firms that are selling aircraft that are some what similar.” Lockheed and other U.S. de fense contractors are required to obtain government permission to show their wares overseas. The F-16, which is built in Fort Worth, was displayed at the last air show in Chile two years ago. Stout said. In fact, this marks the first time the U.S. gov ernment has refused permission to show the F-16 at a major for eign air show, he added. State Department spokesman Mike McCurry said at a depart ment briefing he didn’t know why permission had been de nied. Relations between the two countries are amicable. Just last week, administration officials suggested Chile leads the list of Latin American countries that could be eligible for free trade agreements with the United States. The State Department denial comes at a time when Lockheed is seeking to aggressively branch out in for eign sales be cause U.S. military F-16 sales are dwindling. W e v e sold the air plane down there previ ously to Venezuela,” Stout said. ‘‘There are other markets Richards down there we know we could sell to if we had government ap proval.” Richards also made a case for strong funding of the V-22 Os prey tilt-rotor aircraft during separate meetings Monday with Perry, Deputy Defense Secretary John Deutch and Navy Secretary John Dalton, a Texan. She also touted the merits of Texas military installations — which like all defense facilities nationwide will come under scrutiny next year during die lat est round of base closings. The 1995 round is expected to be the harshest, as govern ment and defense leaders seek to trim the military’s excess facili ties to meet tne needs of a pared-down force. “I think we are in good shape,” Richards said. She has invited government and civic officials from Texas communities with military bases to convene Friday in Austin. Three members of the 1993 independent Base Closure and Realignment Commission also have been invited. “We want to make sure we are fully prepared ip this next round to answer any question,” Richards said. “Last time, we kind of came into it in a rush at the last minute. I want to be able to give local communities every opportunity to do their own preparation.” Baby infant girl dead in a garbage chute one floor below the woman’s Continued from Page 1 district attorney,” he said. “The district attorney has indicated he will probably give it to the grand jury to determine what might be charged.” Depending on the autopsy re sults, the woman could be charged with murder or lesser homicide charges. The child apparently was born shortly before 2 a.m. Emergency Medical Service personnel later re sponded to a call from a woman claiming to be sick. After an examination revealed she had given birth, UPD searched the residence hall and found the room. The woman, whose name has not been released, was treated at A.P. Beutel Health Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan. Wiatt said the woman has since returned to her home in Rockwall, Texas and has sought legal counsel. UPD has located a man they be lieve to be the baby’s father, and blood tests are being conducted on the body of the baby to determine this. Charney Putney, assistant di rector of Residence Life, said the hall staff is working closely with Putney’s department and the stu dent counseling center to provide help to students affected by the tragedy. MSC Black AWARENESS Committee and MSC Committee for the AWARENESS of Mexican American Culture’s A taste of Culture Friday, April 15,1994 Hensel Park Area 3 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. $4.00 Students $5.00 Non-Student For more information, please contact MSC BAC or MSC CAM AC at 845-1515. Persons with disabilities please call us at 845-1515 to inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the best of out ability. Encouraging diversity in colleges NAACP state chapter fought for harmony among races since 1912 By Juli Rhoden The Battalion The National Association for the Advance ment of Colored Peoples has always had a com mon goal, said Dr. David Williams, founder of the Texas African American Heritage Organiza tion, at a speech Monday night in Rudder Audi torium. Williams, a retired school teacher, said the NAACP has strived for equality between the races since the Texas chapter was founded in 19 12 in Houston. “Although everything was segregated at the time in the state, the NAACP fought to teach the races how to live together in harmony," he said. Williams said the efforts of the NAACP can be seen almost anywhere. “Even 25 years ago students of all races wouldn’t and couldn’t sit in the same room like tonight,” he said. Williams said the NAACP has always believed in non-violent protests and does not condone acts outside the bounds of the law. “The NAACP has advocated a belief system in change," he said. “And that does not include vi olence.” College campuses and the strength of their students were ignored in the early battles to fight segregation, Williams said. Felicia Starks, president of the Texas A&M chapter of the NAACP, said in the four years the chapter has been on campus, more people are es. Vamell Hopkins/TTwBc; At a Monday night speech. Dr. David Williams, founder of the Texas African Ameri can Heritage Organization discusses die™ tory of the NAACP state chapter. joining than before. “There are about 30 or 40 members now, and that’s more than we’ve ever had,” she said. “People really want to make a difference, and that’s what we’re looking for.” The NAACP, which has members of all races, has paved the way for modern civil rights, Williams said. “Before the marches and protests of the 1960s came about, the NAACP in Texas fought to give people of all races an equal chance,” he said. “We escorted the First blaclc student admit ted to the University of Texas Medical k! before the Civil Rights movement began Williams said this year will be atm point for race relations when the histo marker commemorating blacks who long: the Texas Revolutionary War is dedicate Austin June 1 6 across from the capitol. "It’s going to be a beautiful thing tosee said. "Because good folk who worked and:!) hard will get recognized for their ach: mems. ” Rare outbreak of toxin sends 14 to hosp The Associated Press EL PASO — Health authorities on Monday confirmed the detection of 14 cases of botu lism in what officials say is the first Texas out break of the potentially fatal illness in more than a decade. Medical officials investigating the outbreak were also trying to track down other people who ate at a restaurant where the illness may have originated. “Nobody needs to panic. There is no need to panic in this community,” said Dr. Laurance N. Nickey, director of the El Paso City-County Health District, noting the disease cannot be passed from person to person. But he urged people to seek immediate medical attention if they begin feeling botulism symptoms, which include headaches, vertigo, double vision, weakness, difficulty swallowing and speaking, and progressive respiratory paral ysis. The food-borne illness can kill by paralyzing the respiratory system. Even a person who re covers can have residual effects for as long as a year, Nickey said. “The botulism toxin is one of the most dan gerous toxins that can be admitted by any bac teria,” said Nickey. Health officials learned of the outbreak Sun- “The botulism toxin is one of the most dangerous toxins that can be admitted by any bacteria.’’ — Dr. Laurayice N. Nickey, director of the El Paso City-County Health District day morning, when a 59-year-old man and his 17-year-old son were admitted to Sierra Med ical Center with botulism symptoms. The two and at least two others, who were admitted to other area hospitals, were report ed in critical condition Monday and were be ing kept on ventilators to assist their breath ing, Nickey said. The others were also hospitalized through out the city with varying degrees of infec tion, which can range from mild to severe, said Nickey. Authorities have declined to identify any of the patients. Nickey said up to 30 people may have been exposed to botulism at Tassos Greek restaurant, where all 14 victims reportedly ate during the weekend before fallin Symptoms develop from four hours to a after exposure, said Nickey. Botulism usually surfaces in food th; been improperly cooked or processed a often associated with potatoes, saidNid In this case, the common denomi may have been a potato-based dip callediij rdalia, Nickey saia. Nickey said restaurant workers told invc gators that more than 30 people ate skori last weekend. Officials are still investigating the rest rant and analyzing food samples, howt' and have confirmed the dip was the cause outbreak. Maria and Tassos Rammos, the owners the restaurant, said in a statementthuk will close the restaurant while authorities it vestigate the outbreak. “The Rammos’ hearts and prayers goo to those customers who have become ill The Rammos’ will do whatever is intk power to assist them in their recovery"! statement said. Officials from the Texas Department Health arrived in El Paso Monday to assist the probe. The U.S. Centers for Disease0 trol in Atlanta will also send at least oneo cial to assist. It’s not the titl fference This is udent B she sai< “I war trie as a v body pre: everythin | improve represent ispect,” I I As the llected tc : Leslie sai opened s lehind h lever a c lampaigi I "For r lever an leally do kind of 1 lath that I Leslie started h lo peop' mentors feason fc I "The) ability,” sit in thi of them But L title is o: aid. I an he opp< to the st she said sometin all the r She s combir student original student Ok Harris County major factor in Senate runo! The Associated Press HOUSTON — Democratic Sen ate candidates Jim Mattox and Richard Fisher say Harris County, with its many potential voters, could be pivotal in Tuesday’s runoff election. As Fisher and Mattox make their last-ditch appeals for votes, they have made sure to include Harris County, home to Houston, in their campaign plans. Mattox said the vote in Harris County “could very well spell the margin of victory in this campaign.” Fisher agreed. “Harris County is the battle ground,” Fisher said Sunday while campaigning in South Texas, anoth er of his geographic targets. The runoff election Tuesday will decide which candidate will face Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchi son in the November election. U.S. Rep. Mike Andrews, D- Houston, came in third in the De mocratic primary, and both Mattox and Fisher are hoping to pick up those votes in the runoff. Harris County always is impor tant to state wide candidates because of the large number of potential voters. But it is especially true in this year’s runoff for the Democratic Senate nomination because of the 5 1,000 Houston-area votes that went to Andrews in the March 8 primary. Statewide candidates like Mattox and Fisher also are looking to Harris County to turn out more voters than many other parts of the state because of some hotly contested lo cal races. Those include the only c sional runoff, the Republican coc ty judge nomination and some ob tested state legislative races. In the March 8 primary, Ma® beat Fisher by a 2-to-l margin Harris County — 34,750 votes 1 7,320. But perhaps the biggest quest here and elsewhere in Texas is f many voters will bother to show for the runoff. Election officials predict a disc turnout. //as Your Life Been Influenced By Cancer? If so, you are not alone The Texas A&M Cancer Society and American Cancer Society have started up a support group for Aggies. It is free of charge, and if you wish to participate and get involved with the support group, then join us at the following place and time. Where: Taco Cabana (Across from Texas A&M). When: Sunday April 17th at 8:30 p.m. For further information, please contact: J.P. Patel Bridget Luna Steve Thompson 696-6023 764-0619 696-5208 The Battalion JULI PHILLIPS, Editor in chief MICHAEL PLUMER, Managing editor KYLE BURNETT, Agg/eWeeditor BELINDA BLANCARTE, Night News editor DENA DIZDAR, Agg/e//Ye editor HEATHER WINCH, Night News editor SEAN FRERKING, Sports editor TONI GARRARD CLAY, Opinion editor WILLIAM HARRISON, Photoedilor JENNIFER SMITH, City editor ANAS BEN-MUSA, Special Sections edit# Staff Members City desk — Lisa Llliott, Juli Rhcxlen, Kim McGuire, Eloise Flint, Jan Higginbotham, Geneen Pipher, James Berts' Angela Neaves, Mary Kujawa, Melissa Jacobs, Stephanie Dube and Joseph Greenslade News desk — Rob Clark, Andreana Coleman, Josef Elchanan, Mark Evans and Drew Wasson Photographers — Mary Macmanus, Stewart Milne, Tim Moog, Blake Griggs, David Birch, Amy Browning, Roger Hsieh, Jennie Mayer, Raun Nohavitza, Nick Rodnicki and Amanda Sonley Aggielife — Margaret Claughton, Jennifer Gressett, Paul Neale, Traci Travis and Claudia Zavaleta Sports writers — Mark Smith, Drew Diener, Nick Georgandis, Jose De Jesus Ortiz and Kristine Ramirez Opinion desk — Jay Roblzins, Lynn Booher, Roy Clay, Erin Hill, Michael Landauer, Jenny Magee, Melissa Meg! 1 Frank Stanford, Jackie Stokes, Rolrert Vasquez and Dave Winder Graphic Artist - Pey Wan Choong Cartoonists — Boomer Cardinale, Chau Hoang, George Nasr, Kalvin Nguyen and Gerardo Quezada Clerks- Eleanor Colvin, Wren Eversberg, Jennifer Kerber, Tomiko Miller and Brooke Perkins The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semester' Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam perkxJs), al Texas*' University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M Uniu College Station, TX 77843. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism, Editorial offices are In 013 Reed McDonald BuiW Newsroom phone number is 845-331 3. Fax: 845-2647. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. Forcanf local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 8454)569. Advertising'' are in 015 Reed McDonald and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-2678. Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To chap VISA or MasterCard, call 845-261 1. L By Mi The Bai Jerr face ar glance worn a and ht of a p very je gener, cry. Jen with choicf wante Jen amon; Ameri their < “Pe it is If she sa die, e die, t< one le Afi fertil coupl rollei years. “V times “It is us. It to u worn want Af A&M pose hall ragec slant came Ti expk “1 thin; and hare thro’ life muc does chiL the
