Page 2 • The Battalion
STATE & LOCAL
Thursday • March 30
kurs
Briefs Children, federal agencies pledge to prot©
Election results
announced
Gulf of Mexico, marine life from pollutioi
> -f n n c oc *
The results of the 1995-96
Student Body Elections will be
announced at 10 p.m. in front of the
Academic Building.
Voting continues today until 6
p.m. at the Sterling C. Evans
Library, the Memorial Student
Center, Zachry Engineering Center
and the West Campus Gazebo for
student body president, yell leaders,
student senators, Residence Hall
Association president and Off-
Campus Aggies president.
Seniors can also vote for their
class gift and class agents.
□ United States' Gulf of Mexico Symposium
attempts to look at solutions to clean up water.
Food fair to promote
healthy eating habits
Those interested in learning more
about healthy eating habits can
sample an array of healthy food
items today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
in 201 MSC.
The Healthy Choice Food Fair is
sponsored by the Department of Food
Services, the A.P. Beutel Health
Center and Health Promotion.
A cover charge of $2 provides a
sampling of breakfast items, salads,
hot entrees and desserts.
CORPUS CHRISTI (AP) —
Pollution in the Gulf of Mexico
comes from hundreds of sources
and creates a sobering array of
problems that cross internation
al boundaries.
But for 10 children who
signed a resolution Wednesday
to protect the Gulf, the issue
boils down to a simple principle:
Pay attention.
“I hope a lot of people think
about what has happened here to
day so that we can keep the Gulf
of Mexico strong,” said 13-year-
old Carlie Goble of Houston.
Goble was among the children
— five from Mexico, five from the
United States — who signed the
resolution kicking off the Gulf of
Mexico Symposium during a cere
mony aboard the retired aircraft
carrier USS Lexington.
The symposium comes at a
time of dwindling sympathy in
the U.S. Congress for new envi
ronmental regulations and
dwindling government cash in
Mexico, which is in a deep eco
nomic crisis.
“If this is viewed as a crisis,
it’s also an opportunity,” said
Douglas A. Lipka, acting director
of the Gulf of Mexico Program,
which organized the event. “And
I think it will give us more in
centive to be looking at joint ap
proaches to issues or problems.”
Population growth along the
Gulf Coast is expected to more
than double between 1960 and
2010, meaning more pollution
and less habitat for marine life.
Threats range from oil spills
to pesticide runoff, from loss
of wetlands to raw sewage
dumping, from speedboats that
hit endangered sea turtles to
litterbugs who dump plastic
containers into rivers that flow
into the Gulf.
During the ceremony, repre
sentatives of 19 U.S. government
agencies signed an agreement to
share information and coordi
nate efforts to protect the Gulf.
The Gulf of Mexico Program
was created by the U.S. Environ
mental Protection Agency in
1988 to devise a plan and coordi
nate federal efforts to protect the
Gulf. The program conducts a
symposium every two years.
“It’s a chance to bring togeth
er scientists, students, teachers
and federal agencies to provide a
progress report on how we are
meeting the challenges of the
Gulf of Mexico,” said Diane Alts-
man, a conference organizer.
The Gulf is home to four of
the nation’s busiest ports and
provides nearly half of the U.S.
commercial catch of finfish,
shrimp and shellfish. Its shores
provide crucial habitat for 75
percent of migratory North
American waterfowl.
It is equally vital to Mexico,
said Maria Eugenia Lezcano,
deputy director for environmen
tal affairs in the Mexican Secre
tariat of the Environment, Nat
ural Resources and Fisheries.
“Even though our country is
going through a very difficult
economic situation at the mo
ment, we still consider it a prior
ity to protect our environment,”
Lezcano said.
Conference participants will
meet through Saturday for ses
sions on habitat degradation,
floating debris, toxic substances,
coastal erosion, freshwater in
flow quality, aquatic life, nutri
ent enrichment from sewa3
fertilizers, and human]
concerns such as consumptiJ
contaminated seafood.
Lipka said one of thefaJ
growing problems alongtk
Gulf Coast is the lossofi
lands and shallowest^
which provide nurseriesfc>J
and shellfish and feeding!)
for waterfowl.
“Ninety-eight percent^
fisheries, we estimate,!
pendent on the estuaries!
said. “We really don't!
full understanding ofij
amount of wetlands willj
the fisheries.”
Texas Land Commisl.
Garry Mauro called the(
“forgotten border” betwei
United States and Mexico,!
“We have got to havej
actions if we’re going toj
tain the productivity oftlie|
of Mexico,” Mauro said.
The proceeds will provide a
scholarship for a student in the
Department of Nutrition.
House OKs watered
down food libel bill
Texas House gives tentative
approval to alternative fuel bill
AUSTIN (AP) — Peas didn’t go
flying through the air, but there was
definitely a food fight in the Texas
House on Wednesday.
The bone of contention was a bill
that opponents said would make it
illegal to “say bad words against
vegetables.”
The measure by Rep. Bob
Turner, D-Voss, would allow
agriculture producers to sue
individuals who make disparaging
statements regarding the safety of
food products.
The House tentatively approved
the bill, but only after an amendment
was added that opponents said
gutted the measure.
The amendment deleted a
provision requiring the person who
makes a disparaging statement to
prove that it is based on scientific
data and instead requires the person
suing to prove the statement is false.
□ Measure gains praise
from environmentalists.
AUSTIN (AP) — The House on
Wednesday gave tentative approval to a
bill that environmental activists contend
would undermine a state program re
quiring the use of alternative fuels to
help reduce pollution.
The measure, approved with a voice
vote, was passed in the Senate earlier
this month. It faces final House approval
before it can go to Gov. George W. Bush
for consideration.
At issue is the Texas Alternative Fu
els Program, which requires certain
state agencies, local mass transit au
thorities and school districts to convert
specified percentages of their fleet vehi
cles to run on natural gas or other ap
proved alternative fuels.
The program includes time periods
by which the entities must convert
their fleets.
The plan affects about 100 school dis
tricts, state agencies with more than 15
vehicles and the cities of Houston, Dallas,
San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth,
Corpus Christi, Laredo and Port Arthur.
The bill by Rep. Mark Stiles, D-Beau-
mont, would expand the list of approved
alternative fuels to include reformulated
gas and low-sulphur diesel. It also would
extend the time periods for compliance.
Stiles said the measure would provide
greater flexibility to the entities in
volved in the program while saving
them money.
But opponents of the bill said refor
mulated gas and diesel fuels do not go as
far in helping reduce pollution as natur
al gas and other alternative fuels.
“The idea of having diesel on a list of
alternative fuels is patently absurd,”
said Ken Kramer, state director of the
Sierra Club. “Diesel is certainly not a
cleaner-burning fuel.”
Motorcycle helmet repeal
likely dead, sponsor says
Q State senator unable to gain
enough votes for review.
AUSTIN (AP) — A proposal to repeal
the mandatory helmet law for adult mo
torcyclists crashed in the Texas Senate
Wednesday, and its sponsor says the is
sue likely is dead for the session.
As a crowd of bikers, many wearing
black leather and boots, watched from
the Senate spectators’ gallery. Sen. Jerry
Patterson failed to win enough Senate
support to allow the bill to be taken up
for a vote.
Procedural rules require at least two-
thirds of the senators to agree to consid
er a bill. The vote on taking up Patter
son’s measure was 18-12, two short of
the 20 needed.
“I think it’s probably a better than 50
N'
V
percent chance the bill is dead/ Paa
son, R-Pasadena. “I think truly wera
ing to have to look at this in thekl
and try to do it next ... session.”
Sputnik Strain, a biker whci
worked to repeal the helmet law, be
was disappointed at the vote andblo
sentiment against the measure onai
against motorcyclists.
“They are prejudiced agaic?!
lifestyle they know absolutely m
about,” said Strain, who is from
Fe, Texas, near Galveston. funde
“This is not to us about a helmet® Ai
This is about the freedom of citel eight
the state of Texas, which is suppose:!Eigh
be a free republic, to make decisiocir M
themselves,” Strain said. ] of coi
Patterson said some people are p' who
diced against motorcyclists becaf the s
went
Oast-i
ai Fi:
; neap
cited
“They look different.”
CONTACT LENSES
ONLY QUALITY NAME BRANDS
(Bausch & Lomb, Ciba, Barnes-Hind-Hydrocurve)
Disposable Contact Lenses Available
$ 118°o
TOTAL COST.. .INCLUDES
$
EYE EXAM, FREE ALCON OPTI-FREE CARE KIT, AND TWO PAIR OF STANDARD
FLEXIBLE WEAR SOFT CONTACT LENSES.
149
00
TOTAL COST...includes
EYE EXAM, FREE ALCON OPTI-FREE CARE KIT, AND FOUR PAIR OF STANDARD
FLEXIBLE WEAR SOFT CONTACT' LENSES.
SAME DAY DELIVERY ON MOST LENSES.
Call 846-0377 for Appointment
CHARLES C. SCHROEPPEL, O.D., PC.
DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY
505 University Dr. East,
Suite 101
College Station, TX 77840
4 Blocks East of Texas Ave. &
University Dr. Intersection
PITS UPDATES PTTS UPDATES PTTS UPDATES -4 PITS UPDATES
4-
■o
=i
CO
tn
■ ■■ option
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in
Staff Permit Information
Ptts recently renewed staff permits for twelve months beginning March 1, m
1995, through February 29, 1996 and is offering the deferred payment plan 4'
A late fee of $5.00 will be added to payment
<C received after the tenth day of March, April, May and June.
Q
If you have any questions regarding your hilling cycle, please contact a park-
m ing counselor at 862-PARK. PTTS hours are Monday - Thursday
E- 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
T Parking News:
qj March 30 - Beginning at 3:30 p.m. the University Center Garage will
<t be reserved for OPAS.
O
Sjj April 3 - A majority of the University Center Garage will be reserved for
C/) conferences. PTTS encourages all permit holders to park in their designated lots.
ol Bus Operations:
T Bus operations will be accepting new driver applications
lu March 27 - March 31. Applications are available at the bus operation facil-
^ ity on Agronomy Rd.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
CO Watch for PTTS updates in the Battalion, each Monday and Thursday!
l_ We’re doing our best to keep you informed of activities and events that could m
impact your parking and transportation needs. For more information, call our ^
parking counselors at 862-PARK or Shuttle Bus Operators at 845-1971. 'L
saivadn slid saivadn slid 4- saivadn slid 4- saivadn slid
The Battalion
MARK SMITH, Editor in chief
JAY ROBBINS, Senior managing editor
HEATHER WINCH, Managing editor
JODY HOLLEY, Night News editor
TIFFANY MOORE, Night News editor
AMANDA FOWLE, City editor
STERLING HAYMAN, OpinioneC
ROB CLARK, Agg/e//7e editor
NICK GEORGANDIS, Sportsediw
DAVE WINDER, Sports editor
STEWART MILNE, Photo editor
piani
while
Staff Members at a £
City desk—Stephanie Dube, Kasie Byers, Eleanor Colvin, Lynn Cook, Brad Dressier, LisaMf-
Gretchen Perrenot, Tracy Smith, Wes Swift, and Brian Underwood if T
News desk— Kristi Baldwin, Michele Chancellor, Kristin De Luca, Kristen De Rocha, libeGoJ:||t 1 £
Randy Goins, Robin Greathouse, Derek Smith and James Vineyard actut
Photographers— Tim Moog, Amy Browning, Robyn Calloway, Nick Rodnicki, Eddy Wylie, Ba:jyj
Mitchell, Roger Hsieh and Rogge Heflin B- , ,
Aggiclife— Michael Landauer, Amber Clark, Amy Collier, Keryl Cryer, Nikki Hopkins andJa; Glgni
Knioum rj, . Hprch
Sports writers— James Anderson, Kristina Buffin, Tom Day, Shelly Hall and Robert Rodriguez And
Opinion — Erin Hill, Drew Diener, Laura Frnka, Zack Hall, David Hill, Kyle Littlefield,
Jenny Magee, Jim Pawlikowski, Elizabeth Preston, Gerardo Quezada, DavidTayl« |
and Amy Uptmor
Cartoonists— Greg Argo, Brad Graeber, Alvaro Gutierrez and Quatro Oakley
Office Assistants— Wendy Crockett, Heather Fitch, Adam Hill and Julie Thomas
Graphic Artist — Ines Hilde
Writing Coach— Mark Evans
The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall andsp |
semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer sessions (except University holidapl
exam periods), at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 778q
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, TexasAT
University, College Station, TX 77843.
News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the j
Division of Student Publication, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices areiM
Reed McDonald Building. E-mail: BATT@TAMVMI.TAMU.EDU. Newsroom phone numberis^
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For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising,ca j
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year. To charge hy VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express, call 845-2611.
WILEY
LECTURE
SERIES
Memorial. Student Center
WHO’S IN CONTROL?
A free symposium on
The Role of the Media in Setting the Foreign Policy Agenda
Featuring:
Mr. Ralph Begleiter
Anchor of the “International Hour”, CNN Washington
Mr. Brent Bozell, III
Founder of the Media Research Center and media critic
Mr. Wayne Nelson
Bureau Chief, Southwest Region, CBS News
Moderated by Jeff Braun of KBTX News
March 30 7:00 p.m. MSC 206
4-0 and GO Tutorincp
Located at 700 E. University Dr., Suite 108
Behind Golden Corral and Blockbuster Video across from the Hilton
<chis Week!
7-9 p.m.
9-11 p.m.
11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
8-10 p.m.
10 p.m. -12 a.m.
Monday
April 3
Acct 230
Part III
Bana 303
Part I
Acct 230
Part I
Acct 229
Part IV
Acct 229
Part I
Tuesday
April 4
Acct 230
Part IV
Bana 303
Part II
Acct 230
Part II
Acct 229
Part V
Acct 229
Part II
Wednesday
April 5
Acct 230
Part V
Bana 303
Part III
Acct 229
Part VI
Acct 229
Part III
Thursday
April 6
Acct 230
Part VI
Bana 303
Part IV
Acct 220
Part
For questions call 846-TUTOR (846-8886)
Tickets on sale Sunday, April 2nd at 3-6 p.m.