Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansas
Friday, November 12, 1999
Nation/World
Clinton honors U.S. veterans for their service
The Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Va.— Under gray skies at Arlington National Cemetery, President Clinton paid tribute yesterday to the nation's war dead.
"We owe them a debt we can never repay," he said.
A chilly wind kept the American flags waving in the porticoes of the amphitheater where Clinton spoke to about 800 veterans and their families after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Clinton highlighted a new military spending bill as proof of his commitment to military in the world.
"When the 20th century began, the headstones that stand in silent formation on these beautiful hills covered fewer than 200 acres," Clinton said. "Today, at century's end, they cover more than 600 acres."
"Hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the world sleep in peace because more than a million Americans rest in peace," he said. "Here, and in graves, marked and unmarked, all across the world."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard, dressed in white, marched to the front of the audience as the U.S. Army Band played a martial tune. The tuba players' sheet music blew away when they struck up *Battle Hymn*
of the Republic, but the rain that threatened to mar the ceremony never fell.
Clinton singled out for recognition Capt. Earl Fox, a retiring Coast Guard medical officer who is the last World War II veteran on active duty, and Heather Renee French, the reigning Miss America and daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran, who has championed the cause of homeless veterans.
Clinton stressed the importance of recovering those soldiers left behind or still listed as missing after U.S. campaigns abroad.
"I am very proud to announce today that we have successfully recovered the remains of three
more United States servicemen lost during the Korean War. They're coming home tonight," the president said to a burst of applause. "But we must not waver in our common efforts to make the fullest possible accounting for all our MIAs, for all their families to have their questions answered."
Separately, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater posthumously awarded the Purple Heart to 111 Coast Guardmen who died aboard the cutter Tampa in 1918. The Tampa was sunk by a German U-boat off the British coast after escorting a supply convoy.
"We not only honor the brave crew members of the Tampa, but
also recognize the courage of the women and men of the coast Guard who over the past two centuries have put themselves at risk in the service of their country," Slater said.
Most of the NATO sorties flown over Kosovo were flown by U.S. pilots, who at times faced heavy enemy fire. However, U.S. forces did not suffer a single combat fatality during the campaign.
The president said the military spending bill he signed last month would "keep us moving in that direction, with the start of the first sustained increase in military spending in a decade and the biggest pay increase for our troops in a generation."
Italian apartment building collapses
50 believed dead; authorities suspect structural failure
The Associated Press
FOGGIA, Italy—A six-story apart ment building came crashing down upon 24 sleeping households in southern italy yesterday, trapping them in a 15-foot-high heap of concrete and dust. Only one family escaped intact, fleeing with seconds to spare after a frantic attempt to save their neighbors.
Waked by the sound of the building shaking itself to pieces, the family of five ran apartment to apartment, ringing doorbells and pounding on doors. The effort nearly cost their lives, said building superintendent Luigi Lacanta, who ran from the building with the family at the last minute.
"I took a step back, thinking I could see someone stick their head out the window," Lacanta said. "Instead, I saw the entire building crumple."
By nightfall, authorities had accounted for only 17 survivors out of the 70 to 75 people believed to be inside. The latest, a young man, was pulled out more than nine hours
after the last survivor had been found. After a day of seeing only covered bodies on gurneys go by, the dusty search crews stopped digging to applaud the rescue, shouting. "He's alive!"
Searchers recovered 13 corpses, wheeling them out under green sheets with broken limbs dangling.
Paramilitary police Capt. Antonio Di Spazio said he feared about 50 people had been killed.
Many may have died on the stairs, trying to escape.
Authorities suspect a structural failure brought down the 36-year-old building. Some residents said workers had been renovating a garage underneath; Di Spazio said that would be investigated.
In Rome, politicians urged Parliament to push through a proposed law that would make buildings subject to periodic inspections.
Emergency crews evacuated an adjoining building in the neighborhood, a cluster of tidy, well-kept apartment blocs in the city of 150,000. Awakened in the night by the crash and then by screams, neighbors packed balconies to watch the daylong rescue effort.
The apartment building fell about 4:30 a.m.
Crushing floors and ceilings, it collapsed into rubble about 15 feet
Jason Williams/KANSAN
high. A single door stood upright atop the ruin — that of the tiny rooftop apartment, its fall cushioned by the floors pancaked beneath it.
Resident Aldo Guidone woke to the noise of the building shaking. Someone rang his doorbell, and then the building dropped from beneath him.
Guidone landed flat in the rubble,
escaping alive with his son and
daughter-in-law. Their 8-year-old
son was missing.
"In the heart of the night I heard my bed shake, like an earthquake," said Salvatore Taronne, 19, from his hospital bed. "Then I heard creaking noises but I couldn't understand what was happening."
State agencies Y2K ready says technology officer
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — Virtually all computer programs and equipment at state government agencies are ready for Year 2000, the state's expert about the topic said yesterday.
Don Heiman, the state's chief information technology officer for the executive branch, said 99.8 percent of all hardware and software was Year 2000 compliant.
"I'm always apprehensive about crossing the millennium, but the agency reports have been strong." Heiman said after a meeting of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Information Technology.
He plans to update the committee next month on any work that still needs to be done.
"I don't see any real showstoppers on the list," he said.
Of the state's 100,000 computer-related items, only 50 to 60 still are not Year 2000 compliant. Heiman said.
1900 and malfunction.
The state began working on Y2K in 1997 and has spent more than $20 million since then. More than 180,000 hours have been devoted to the plans, changes, improvements and tests to make sure everything works.
Some people fear that when the new century begins, computer programs that designate years with two digits will read 2000 as
Meredith Williams, executive secretary of Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, told the committee his agency was a year behind in its efforts to convert documents into computer files.
In other matters, the committee discussed delays with a computer project at the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, which pays benefits to about 50,000 former state workers.
The delays were caused by the agency's move to new offices last year, KPERS' preparations for Year 2000 and two vacant computer programmer positions, he said.
KPERS expects the $2.9 million project to be completed in 2001.
Clark, R-Oakley, said he had been frustrated by how little information KPERS previously had given to the committee.
New poll shows McCain, Bush tied for first time
The Associated Press
MANCHESTER, N.H.—A new poll of New Hampshire voters shows John McCain for the first time tied with George W. Bush in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Bush had 38 percent, compared to 35 percent for McCain,a difference within the poll's 4 percent.
age people margin of error.
"I think Bush has quite a challenge," said pollster Dick Bennett.
"There's something there that some Republican voters, especially men, aren't buying about the guy."
McCain: Even statistically in poll of New Hampshire voters
The New Hampshire Poll showed men were more likely to favor McCain, while women favored Bush.
The poll also showed McCain with the highest favorability rating — 67 percent — among Republicans. Bush's favorability rating dropped to 56 percent from 71 percent in October.
Speaking Wednesday after filing for the New Hampshire primary, Bush said that different polls were showing different results but that McCain was a strong candidate.
"This is a competitive race," Bush said. "I understand it's competitive, and I look forward to working hard. If I had to guess why Sen. McCain is doing well, it's people respect him and so do I. He's a good man."
Among Democrats, Vice President Al Gore held a slight lead ahead of former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, with 46 percent to Bradley's 40 percent.
The telephone poll of 600 likely Republican primary voters and 600 likely Democratic voters was conducted Nov.4 through Nov.9 by the American Research Group Inc.of Manchester.
In less time than it takes you to warm up a slice of pizza ... another girl or woman in America is
If you need help. or want to help others ... Call 1-888-END ABUSE.
MEET THE K-STATE ALUMINUM CAN CHALLENGE!
KSU has challenged all the colleges in Kansas to a recycling competition to determine which school will be able to collect the most aluminum cans during the week of November 15.
Be sure to collect and recycle your aluminum cans on campus for America Recycles Day Monday November 15.
KU Recycling will collect and weigh them. Contact RCR at 864-2855 for details OR your SEAB representative.
your SEAB representative.
Special drop off days will be November 16 & 19 at Burt Hall (across from Green Hall on 15th Street.) Call RCR at 864- 2855 for directions.
Sponsored by Resource Conservation & Recycling (RCR) and the Student Environmental Advisory Board (SEAB).