TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2006 SPEAKER
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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U. S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) spoke Monday at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansan Union as part of the "Walking the Dream" event and luminaria march. Cleaver stressed King's vision of peace in relation to the war in Iraq. He also spoke about giving aid to hurricane survivors.
Keeping the dream alive
BY DEJUAN ATWAY
datway@kansan.com
KANSAN STaff WRITE
A diverse community braved a cold night to trek from Strong Hall to the Kansas Union as part of the "Walking the Dream" event and luminaria march Monday night.
The purpose of the event was to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and vision. King's legacy was remembered last night as U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II gave a speech linking the civil rights leader's past to issues that affect America in the present.
Cleaver's political career began in Kansas City when he was elected a councilman in 1979. In 1991 he made history when he was elected the first African-American mayor of Kansas City, Mo. He was re-elected in 1995. Cleaver is currently serving his
first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cleaver challenged the youth of America to fight injustices in the world. He used King's message of fighting for the voiceless and powerless to confront the problems that exist in modern America.
Cleaver discussed how King championed programs for those trapped in poverty and who were disenfranchised. He also said he believed King would be vehemently against the war in Iraq.
Cleaver pointed out that King would have taken a stand against the treatment of the poor in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast and how the national debt impacted the government's reaction to Hurricane Katrina.
This is the second year the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Multicultural Resource Center has sponsored a celebration of King's birthday. Santos Nunez, program director of the Multicultural Resource Center, said the event was planned to continue annually and hoped it would grow in size and carry on King's message.
Cleaver closed his speech by challenging the audience to look in the mirror if they wanted King's dream to become a reality.
Kristen Guillot, president of the Black Student Union, said he believed that King's struggle would never finish as long as injustice occurred in the world.
"He would be happy with the progress we have made as a country, but I think he would definitely strive for more," Guillot said.
NATION
"In order to combat prejudice and hate, people should try to listen more and learn from others," Nupez said.
— Edited by Gabriella Souza
Lawmakers pass mine safety bill
BY LAWRENCE MESSINA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - After 14 coal mining deaths in three weeks, West Virginia lawmakers unanimously passed a bill Monday that would require mines to use electronic devices to track trapped miners and stockpile oxygen to keep them alive until help arrives.
The Senate and House both acted with remarkable haste at the urging of Gov. Joe Manchin, who unveiled the legislation about 11 a.m. and pressed lawmakers to pass it by the end of the day.
"We can't afford to wait any longer," Manchin said after two miners were found dead over the weekend in a mine fire in Melville. Three weeks ago, 12 miners died after an explosion at the Sago Mine.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration enforces federal safety laws, but states can pass more stringent mining regulations if they want to.
— behind Wyoming — will have to comply by the end of February.
"It could be that it's the quickest response to coal reform in the state's history," said Robert Rupp, a political science professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
"I just wish they would have done it before and maybe I'd have my daddy here with me," said Brittany Hatfield, 18, whose father, Ellery "Elvis" Hatfield, died last week as a result of the mine fire.
Once the governor signs the bill, coal companies in the nation's No. 2 coal mining state
Manchin's legislation will require improved communications and the electronic tracking of coal miners underground.
as well as faster emergency response and the storage of additional air supplies underground.
"No miner's family is going to have to endure what we all endured for 90 hours over the past three weeks," the governor said.
If the 14 miners who died in two accidents since Jan. 2 had been wearing tracking devices, "we could have concentrated all our efforts, all our resources on that one location," Manchin said.
The owner of the Sago Mine, International Coal Group Inc., had not reviewed the bill, but "we certainly support prompt, achievable advancements in technology for communications and rescue to improve miners' safety," said Charles Snavely, a company vice president.
"These deaths I believe were entirely preventable," said Sen. Robert C, Byrd, D-W Va. "And we owe the families of these deceased and noble and great and brave man a hard look of what happened and why."
The state Senate passed the bill without debate, 32-0, with two absences. The vote in the House of Delegates was 93-0, with seven absences. Because of slight changes, the bill was sent back to the Senate, where it was again accepted and sent on to Manchin.
In Washington, meanwhile the Senate opened a hearing on mine safety.
Manchin's call for quick action came as the state medical examiner was to release the bodies of the 47-year-old Hatfield and Don I. Bragg, 33, to their families.
The two men died last week as a result of a conveyor belt fire at the Aracoma Coal Alma No. 1 mine. Their bodies were found nearly two days after the blaze began to spread thick smoke in the mine.
ON CAMPUS
Natalie Dykstra, Hope College assistant professor of English, is hosting a seminar entitled "A Life in Pictures; Marian 'Clover' Adams and Her Photography" from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Hall Center for the Humanities.
♦ The Tap Dogs dance group is performing at 7:30 p.m. today at the Lied Center, Tickets are available starting at $19.50.
ON THE RECORD
A KU employee reported a theft of a blue Power-Elite floor fan on Jan. 20. The theft occurred between 8:00 a.m.
Jan. 11 and 8:00 a.m. Jan. 12. The fan was valued at $175.
An 18-year-old KU student reported criminal damage to his 2000 GMC Jimmy at 2:20 p.m. Jan. 22. The passenger and rear lift windows were smashed. The damage was estimated at $750.
CAMPUS
Police suspect arson in 10th-floor Oliver fire
The KU Public Safety Office is looking for suspects in relation to a fire that occurred at Oliver Hall on Thursday night.
According to KU Public Safety Office documents, the fire occurred at 11:36 p.m. when someone set a bulletin board on fire, causing residents of the hall to evacuate.
The fire is being ruled as aggravated arson and damaged the bulletin board. Also, smoke damaged the north wing of the 10th floor.
Department spokesman Maj. Chris Keary said no arrests had been made.
Anyone with information about the fire can call the department at (785) 864-5900. People with information who wish to remain anonymous can call KU Crime Stoppers at (785) 864-8888.
- Mike Mostaffa
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Center for Community Outreach challenging. educating. empowering.
Natural Ties
Natural Ties facilitates weekly interaction between KU student organizations and individuals with developmental disabilities with activities to promote friendships.
For more information contact Annika Williamschen or Diane Delf at nties@ku.edu
H. U.G. Helping Unite Generations
Card Games Scrapbooking Bingo Fun!
HUG unites volunteers and senior citizens in local retirement homes with the intent to establish meaningful relationships.
For more information, Contact Julianne Kueffer or Jenny Wiens a hug@ku.edu
Project Bridge
January 24,2006
CAAS Concerned, Active and Aware Students
CAAS advocates for issues ranging from hunger and homelessness to environmental policy through service projects, educational events and publications.
If you have a project that you think deserves attention or want to start a volunteer initiative, contact the CAASS coordinators!
For more info, contact Carly Burger or Miranda Spini at caas@ku.edu
Student Senate has
begun accepting applications for the following replacement senator positions:
-Business Senator
-Graduate and Law Senator
-Freshman/Sophomore
CLAS Senator
-Junior/Senior CLAS Senator
-Social Welfare Senator
-Off-Campus Senator
Applications can be found in the student senate office in 410 Kansas Union
and are due by 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday February 1st.
First Meeting of the Semester! The Speaker is Robin Jennison a candidate for Governor.
PAID FOR BY KU
Questions regarding eligibility or the applications process, please contact us by phone, 785-864-3710.
STUDENT SENATE one community, many voices
7:00pm in the Kansas Room of the Kansas Union on Tuesday January 24th
"Human Sexuality in Everyday Life"
with me. Dennis Dailey, KU Professor of Social Welfare
Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm Beginning February 2nd at the ECM Center (1 Registration is $40 Students, $50 non-studen Non-Credit Course
Organized by the Sexuality Education Commit
Sponsored by Hillel Foundation, Lutheran Campus Ministries, United Methodist Campus Ministry. First Presbyterian University Ministry, and the ECM
LAN
The University of Kansas Legislative Advocacy Network
LAN aims to connect students with their state and federal legislators. By building personal, non-partisan relationships to further lobbying efforts, LAN will increase awareness for higher education and promote student interests.
For further information please contact the Lobbying Coordinators of SLAB & Student Senate; Katie Loyd at kloyd@ku.edu, or Chris Blackstone at chrisblackstone@ku.edu.