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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 1996)
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Bank- r e objects ze shuttle testing a ave objects auttle into i. iilable to ents from i conduct- luate sta rring, said portant to ible to do wouldn't raduate, eason I'm s because egotiation rtment of but many vith land 1 see it ai y are sup [ they se f hat.” npus attor dents. , legal ser iseling ~ights arc is,” Powel y want t aeir right- 1 It The Battalion Vol. 102, No. 153 (6 pages) Serving Texas AdrM University Since 1893 THE BATT ON-LINE: http://bat-web.tamu.edu Monday • June 24, 1996 GOP anti-abortionists claim victory Hutchison was selected as a delegate despite her pro-abortion stance SAi'J ANTONIO (AP) — U.S. Sen: Kay Bailey Hutchison may have succeeded in representing Texas as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, but GOP anti-abortion forces who opposed her are claiming victory. The Texas GOP Convention ended Sat urday with abortion opponents winning a majority of the state’s 123 national dele gates and vowing to force presumptive presidential nominee Bob Dole to pick a strong abortion foe as his running mate. “This sends a very clear signal to Bob Dole to stop his meandering around about the pro-life plank and make up his mind about giving us a pro-life presidential run ning mate,” said Bill Price, president of Texans United for Life and the most vocal opponent of Hutchison, who supports re stricted abortion rights. Texas GOP Chairman Tom Pauken said he felt sure the delegation was united leaving the convention. “We came together most of the time,” Pauken said. “I feel very good about the entire convention. “These are people who have committed to vote for Bob Dole when they go to San Diego, and I’m confident they are going to do that,” Pauken added. Despite the vocal support of U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Gov. George W. Bush, Hutchison barely survived a voice vote at the convention that some said was too close to call. “In spite of the fact that we were up against the might of the Republican Party establishment, we got close to and maybe over 50 percent of the vote,” Price said. Pauken said the vote was 60 percent in favor of the at-large slate of delegates that included Hutchison. “I think it’s a strong delegation ... that includes Senator Hutchison,” Pauken said after the vote. “I think most elements of the party were reasonably satisfied, some were not and these are good sincere people and I understand that their frustrated.” Abortion became a lightning rod at the Texas GOP Convention after Dole requested a “declaration of tolerance” on the issue. Texas Republicans balked at the re quest, responding by toughening their See Hutchison, Page 6 Ags attend state convention Stacy Stanton, The Battalion Sbanna Nugent, Allen Watson, Richard Holt and Jeff Livingston were among the Aggies to serve as delegates to the Texas GOP convention over the weekend. By David Taylor The Battalion SAN ANTONIO — Several Texas A&M students got hands-on experience with democracy over the weekend at the Texas Republican Convention. A number of Aggies served as delegates or alternates to the GOP convention. Megan Machemehl, a master’s student studying educational human resources development, attended her first convention. “When I first sat down in the Alamodome and realized that I was a delegate whose vote could make a difference, I was almost over whelmed,” Machemehl said. “I was reminded that age has nothing to do with having an impact. Anyone can get involved in the party and have an impact.” Jeff Livingston, president of the Texas A&M College Republicans and a senior electrical engineering major. said power seemed to be in the peo ple’s hands at this convention. “I’m actually really impressed with the grass-roots power individu als seem to have at the convention,” Livingston said. “I think it’s an hon or that Brazos County let some col lege Republicans come. That proves that the county and the Republican Party are wanting, to reach out for * See Ags, Page 6 Gwendolyn Struve, The Battalion I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL Bobby Richardson, a senior agricultural business major, and Chad Ripple, a freshman agriculture development major, practice some of their favorite country songs Sunday afternoon. Fish Camp workday promotes unity Rony Angkriwan, The Battalion Cary Lasher, a junior chemical engineering major, Michelle Brueggings, a sophomore elementary education major, and Bernice Odom, a sophomore speech communication major, work on a Fish Camp poster Saturday. By Heather R. Rosenfeld The Battalion The loud music, paint-splattered legs and bustling bodies found at a Fish Camp workday may have lead an observer to think it was nothing more than a wild party. A closer look at the gathering found in Zachry on Saturday revealed a much different purpose, however. Although workdays are designed as general preparation time for camp, Robyn Johnson, Fish Camp director and a 1996 graduate of A&M, said planning and decorating often take secondary roles at a workday. “They (workdays) build camp Unity, and people working together is key in doing that,” Johnson said. 'It is a time when a camp comes to gether as a camp, they aren’t just individuals anymore.” Todd Donohue, Fish Camp direc tor and a senior accounting major, said he understands the impor tance of bringing a camp together during the summer. ‘The freshmen can tell the difference if a camp is close or not,” Donohue said. Of the 500 students that are in volved in Fish Camp, some stu dents have been preparing for the arrival of the freshman class since September, and the workday is one of the many events that anticipate the six sessions held in August. The workdays also allow time for those involved to reflect on the rea sons behind their dedication. Allison Carter, co-chair for Camp Carrington and a senior elementary oducation major, said that she wants to ease the difficult transi tion from high school to college. “It’s very hard to leave home because you are leaving your com fort zone,” she said. “I was scared that I wouldn’t find my niche, but it’s not that way. There is a place for everyone at A&M.” Although many long hours of un paid labor have been spent to ensure success this summer, Suzanna Hen derson, head director of Fish Camp and a senior English major, says it all comes to fruition with the arrival of the incoming class at camp. “I think it is the enthusiasm and excitement of the fish during the four days at Fish Camp that makes every minute of time, and every dol lar you spend, worth it,” she said. Johnson agreed with Henderson and furthered the reasons for such dedication to the organization. “All these students are working to welcome the Class of 2000,” she said. "... It’s great to see high school seniors suddenly turn into Texas Aggies.” Carter said seeing her coun selors work together as a team at the workday really highlights Fish Camp’s message that every individ ual is important. “They (freshmen) soon realize that they can be themselves and will be accepted,” Carter said. Taking a break from painting a banner, Amanda Barneycastle, Camp Jones counselor and a se nior accounting major, was able to sum lip the essence of Fish Camp in one sentence. “Fish Camp is simply Aggies welcoming new Ag gies into our family.” Handgun class offers new perspectives W hen you pull the trigger to fire a gun, you cause an explosion. Once the bullet leaves the barrel of the gun, you can’t get it back. You are responsible for the bullet until it stops. 1 learned about gun safety, target shooting and the legal aspects of carry ing a gun when I took the concealed handgun license training class last week. I wanted to see who is carrying a gun and why. I expected the class to be full of big, burly- looking men, but instead saw average-looking people you would meet every day. There were five men and four women in my class. I was the youngest person and the only A&M student taking the class. Classes have typically been small since the concealed handgun law went into effect. Most people who take the class want to keep a gun in their car for protection when they travel. Parents want to protect their children, and business owners want to pro tect their businesses. To get a concealed handgun license, you start by taking the class. The class consists of 12 hours of classroom training, a pretest and a final exam. Then you go to a shooting range and qualify with a handgun. The Department of Public Safety does an extensive background check on applicants. A felony conviction, being a fugitive from jus tice, being currently charged with a class A or B misdemeanor or being of unsound mind can keep a person from getting a license. This screening should help ease the minds of those who are afraid the concealed hand gun law will arm criminals and crazy people. The instructor did a good job of teaching us the legal aspects of carrying a gun. No one missed more than one question on the written test. Shooting a gun was the hardest part of the class. Having never handled a gun before, I didn’t know what to expect. The first shot was loud, the gun kicked back and the empty shell hit me in the fore head. Once I knew what was coming, I was even more afraid. I pulled the trigger with my eyes closed and missed the target a lot. By the time I took the test, I was less ner vous and hit the target almost every time. I realized the gun wouldn’t bite me, and I was n’t going to shoot myself. Even though I qualified to get a license, I don’t think I’m prepared to carry a gun. You must have a plan of action for shooting a gun and decide if you are capable of taking a life. I haven’t done either of these things. It takes a lot of practice to become a good shot. Shooting accurately is important, be cause if you miss an attacker and hit an inno cent bystander, there is no legal justification. Most people who take the class want to know where they can carry a gun. I thought you could carry a gun anywhere with a license, but you can’t. Churches, synagogues, race tracks, schools, polling places, businesses that derive 51 percent of their profits from the sale of alcohol, government buildings and secured areas of airports are some of the places where handguns are banned even with a license. Because of my misconception about the kind of people who take the concealed hand gun class, I didn’t expect to learn how to peacefully resolve a dispute. I thought we would learn to be vigilantes. The instructor said you should either try to talk your way out of a situation or retreat before shooting. It is very important to take note of innocent bystanders, the kind of weapon the attacker is using and where you are before you take out your gun. The concealed handgun class prepares rea sonable, logical people to protect themselves. Rony Angkriwan, The Battalion Thomas Archer practices hitting a target during the handgun license training class Saturday. Melissa Nunnery CITY REPORTER Illegal handicapped parking may result in $100 citation By Tauma Wiggins The Battalion The search for a parking space represents an annoying inconvenience for many Texas A&M students, but for disabled students, finding that spot is imperative to their safety and health. Sean Merrell, a Parking, Transit and Traf fic Services (PTTS) officer, said he has ob served many A&M students parking illegally in handicapped spots. “To me this is really serious,” Merrell said. “A lot of times students will park in a handi capped parking spot and run into class.” Merrell said many students put their handi capped tag on only after seeing the officers. “I’ve seen some students pull into a handi capped parking spot, and then, as soon as they see me, they put up a tag,” Merrell said. Merrell said PTTS does not prosecute but does give a $100 citation for illegal handi capped parking. Gary Jackson, PTTS manager for parking services, said it is difficult to prosecute an in dividual parking illegally in a handicapped parking spot because University Police De partment (UPD) officers must be present. “We’ve had two cases where we came close to prosecuting, but it’s not easy,” Jackson said. “The UPD has to be on the scene.” Jackson said the medical community See Parking, Page 6