CAMPUS/AREA UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Tuesday, March 15,1994 3 And the winner is ... everyone Entire fire department of Lawrence is honored as Firefighter of the Year By Cheryl Cadue By Cheryl Cadue Kansan staff writer Valerie Bontrager / KANSAN Dan Hardtarter, firefighter, said the award was an honor for everyone in the fire department. Every year a firefighter is chosen as Lawrence's "Firefighter of the Year." but this year, the entire Lawrence fire department won the award. "The Firefighter of the Year Award recognizes someone for going above and beyond the call of duty," he said. "It's something everyone can take pride in." Cameron Robinson, acting officer and officer in training, adjusts the water pressure that goes through the truck and into 5-inch hydrant hoses that feed the smaller houses firefighters use to put out a fire. The Fraternal Order of Eagles awarded a plaque to the fire department, which responded to a large number of emergencies this year, said Jim McSwain, Lawrence fire chief. "1993 was a very challenging year for our firefighters." he said. "Our firefighters responded with professionalism and energy." The fire department received the award because department managers had a difficult time choosing one firefighter for the award, McSwain said. "Our firefighters responded to everything from flooding to tragic fires," he said. "I'm certainly very proud of the way they handled a variety of situations." Harddarfer said the firefighters considered each call important. In 1993, the fire department responded to 1,403 emergency calls, including fire and rescue calls. "When the alarm goes off, we handle it to the best of our ability," he said. While fire damage was at its lowest level in five years, the fire department's annual report said 1993 was one of the worst years for fire fatalities. In four unrelated fires, eight people died. Firefighters also battled last summer's flooding in North Lawrence. During July and August, firefighters bagged 60 tons of sand and assisted the Lawrence Public Works department by pumping flood water. McSwain said. Ted Noonen, firefighter, said working hard was nothing new to Lawrence's firefighters. number of incidents, but we handled those like we would any other incident in that we handled them very well." "When they talked to us about who would get the award, they said numerous times, people put themselves on the line," he said. "We had an unusual Valerie Bontrager/ KANSAN Noonen said that filling sandbags was difficult work, but that many residents helped with the efforts. "Everyone in this department was filling sandbags and running pumps," he said. "It was nice because a lot of citizens came out and helped. There was a lot of support." Hardtardier also said that filling sandbags took the entire community and not just the firefighters. "We're all happy that we were there to help," he said. "When you're working on something like that, you have the feeling you can't do the work alone because it's such a large problem. It takes a combined effort." Responding to such a large number of calls and situations can be exhausting, but many times the job is rewarding. Hardtaker said. "We're serious about our work and we try to make every situation better," he said. "That's our job." Jim Saladin, firefighter and driver, figures the water pressure with the help of Dean Brown, the Lawrence department's newest firefighter. Author remembers, writes his past By Ashley Schultz Kansan staff writer Gus Lee is a full-time writer who said he sensed fear when he read from his own work. The reading at the Kansas Room in the Kansas Union was sponsored by the Asian American Student Union as part of the Asian American Festival. Lee's first novel, "China Boy," was published in 1991 to favorable reviews. The semi-autobiographical book introduces readers to a Chinese-American youth, Kai Ting, who is growing up in a predominantly African-American neighborhood. Lee spoke of that fear last night to an audience of about 70 listeners before reading from his second novel, "Honor and Duty." In "Honor and Duty," published this year, Kai Ting is now a 17-year-old leaving his childhood behind to attend West Point Military Academy. The books evolved out of a journal Lee began keeping for his daughter, Jena, 12, who had asked at age 7 to know more about Gus Lee's mother. The woman died when he was a child, and Lee's father and stepmother refused to discuss her. Lee said he wanted to find out about his mother because he feared that his daughter would be trapped by troubles buried in the Lee family's past. "Somehow my daughter, my innocent daughter, would enter that chamber of secrets," Lee said. "She would not learn from the past." He said he wrote the books for the sake of Jena along with his son, Eric, age 9. "These books have arrived like a one-two punch — I'm being very confessional — from heaven," said Lee, who participated in a community boxing program for 12 years as a youth. "I was in danger of committing two horrendous errors at the point that I started writing the journal for Jena." Lee said the first chance for error came when he began to toughen up Eric to prepare the boy for the critical world Lee had experienced while he was growing up. The second was the possibility that his career as a senior executive for the State Bar of California would rob his children of a father. Lee said "Honor and Duty" was based largely on a philosophy expressed by a relatively unknown author whom Lee quotes at the beginning of the book. this: "The sad things that happened long ago will always remain part of who we are," Lee said. "And I believe that." "There is a great Chinese truth and a great American undiscovered truth in Lee said that to be happy in the future, people must learn from the sadness accompanying the past. Kai Ting's existence does not end with "Honor and Duty," Lee said. A third novel will chronicle Kai Ting's entrance into male maturity and the rediscovery of his Asian roots. Lee would like to continue chronicling his own learning through the novels, he said. Herman Leon, professor of social welfare, finished reading "China Boy" Sunday night. "He has a special voice," Leon said of Lee. "It resonates in a lot of the first-generation literature of other groups that have come through, like Jews, and it is very modern. FACES "Philosophical as well as highly psychological and yet very grounded to concrete reality, like boxing and growing up in the ghetto." Amy Solt / KANSAN As secretary at the Office of Minority Affairs, Johnnie Young finds her days full. She also works for the rights of American Indian prisoners. Secretary advocates rights of her race Johnnie Young combines office work with campaigning for Native Americans By Angelina Lopez Kansan staff writer Johnnie Young, secretary of the Office of Minority Affairs, addresses the needs of KU students and administrators Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the rest of her waking hours, however, Young confronts the problems her race — the Native Americans — face. "Being Indian is not simply in the blood," Young said. "It's a way of life." Young, who is a member of the Potawatomi and Seneca nations, spends much of her time supporting the religious rights of Native-American prisoners in Missouri. President Clinton signed a bill in November 1993 that secured the religious rights of Native Americans. This bill allows Native Americans in prison to celebrate their religion with eagle feathers, sweat lodges and pipes, Young said. However, she said the Missouri prison system had refused to recognize these rights. She said some people didn't think that throwing away a person's eagle feathers was offensive. "But it would be sinful if someone walked up to a Catholic and threw his rosary beads in the trash." she said. In addition to being a defender of Native Americans, Young also is a promoter of their culture through her activities as an adviser for the Native American Student Association and as a co-host for the radio show "Urban Drums." The show can be heard on Kansas City, Mo., station KKFI 90.1 FM. Young said that "Urban Drums" was a show that discussed Native-American issues and news and played contemporary Native-American music. Jay Jackson, president of the Native American Student Association, said that Young was a concerned representative of the Native-American community. "She knows a lot about the community, which really helps the students get around," he said. Young said that it was not only the Native-American community that she appreciated but all the different communities that were represented at KU and that passed through the office. Young said she had made it a point in her life to explain and emphasize her culture not only to other people but to her 7-year-old daughter, Kylah. Last November, Young said, her daughter came to her and told her that she did not want to participate in her school's Thanksgiving play. "They want me to be a pilgrim," she told her mother. "I'm not a pilgrim. I'm an Indian." Kansan staff report Neighborhood association to present parking plan The Lawrence City Commission will receive a plan tonight from the Oread Neighborhood Association that would limit the number of off-campus parking spaces available to residents in the neighborhood. The proposed parking system would require that residents purchase permits to park from Tennessee Street to Maine Street and from Ninth Street to 14th Street, excluding the University boundaries. Each permit would cost $10, and one permit would be allocated per vehicle. Permit holders would get a reusable visitor permit. The system would be in effect from Sept. 1 through Aug. 15, and a violation would carry a minimum fine of $25 and a maximum fine of $100. The commission will receive the plan and schedule a time to study it during tonight's meeting, which will begin at 6:35 p.m. in City Hall, 6 East 6th St. Enjoy the Tournament on Jox 3 BIG screen TVs Monday $2^{95}$-dozen Wings or $9^{35}$-for 3 doz. Wings & a Pitcher $3^{40}$- Domestic Pitchers Taco Tuesday $4^{10}-6 tacos & a Pitcher $3^{10}-Domestic Pitchers Thursday $2 Taco Salads $1 ^{50} Zima Bottles & Domestic Bottles 2-4-1 Wednesday 2-4-1 Single Burgers 11am-9pm 2-4-1 Night Friday $110 Domestic Draws Thursday $2ºº Taco Salads Saturday $1 ^{28 Chili Cheese Dogs $2^{2"} 22 oz. Bud & Bud Light Bottles Supreme Sunday $2^{20"}} Supreme Stadium Fries $2^{96} Nachos Supreme Kasold 75¢ Domestic Draws 865-4040 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES Graduate Mentor Award Spring 1994 Nominations are now being taken for the newly created advising and mentoring award within CLAS. This will be awarded to an outstanding graduate educator. Nominations for the award will be solicited from graduate students within the College. Criteria may include the following: outstanding mentoring, outstanding educator and outstanding research and scholarship guidance. A monetary award will be given, in addition to the name of the recipient affixed on a plaque outside the College Office. Faculty members eligible must be current members of the graduate faculty of the College. If you have questions as to eligibility, call the CLAG Graduate Division Office, 864-4898. Please keep your nomination letter to one single spaced page. Send your nominations to: Committee on Graduate Studies, 209 Strong Hall, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045. Deadline is April 11,1994. Tuesday, March 15 7:30pm Tuesday, March 15 7:30pm GAMMA's version of TV's "Studs" Kansas Room, Kansas Union Safe Break Week Special Activities March 14-18 wEDNESDAY, March 16 8:00pm Safer Sex Squares Wednesday. March 16 Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union (Center for Sexual Health Education) KU goes Hollywood! Just be there and you get a prize! See KU celebrities try to stump student contestants. Come see what you know about safer sex! what you know about safer sex! Thursday, March 17 7:30pm Mocktail Contest (GAMMA) "Know Your Limits" Hint #3 Don't be a victim... safeguard your home while you are away. Alert your neighbors and ask one to collect your mail and newspapers. Secure your bicycle and belongings; don't leave valuables visible in your car. Have a Safe and Healthy Break! For more information: 664-9570 Thank You to Our Seniors Thank You to Our Sponsors: Watkins Dept. of Health Education, Center for Sexual Health Education, KU Police Department, Student Housing, AURH, FACTS, SUA, GAMMA, PARTY, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Leigh Livingston-Kashwava.