6A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2007
》 ABORTION LEGISLATION
Bill asks doctors for justification
TOPEKA — Doctors would have to tell the state exactly why they aborted viable fetuses, and state health officials would have to summarize the information in reports under a deal brokered Tuesday by legislative negotiators.
Three senators and three House members agreed to impose the new reporting policy for the Department of Health and Environment as they worked on a compromise version of the year's last spending bill. If the agency did not comply, it would not be allowed to spend any money during the fiscal year beginning July 1.
But as part of the deal, negotiators decided the spending bill wouldn't include related provisions for the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the State Board of Healing Arts, which licenses doctors. The House had approved all three, but the Senate hadn't considered them.
Abortion opponents have long sought more details about why doctors perform late-term procedures, arguing additional data would be useful to legislators and give the public more information. Critics view the new reporting requirements as a step toward limiting access to abortion.
their work, each chamber would consider the compromise spending measure and decide whether to send it to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who has the power to veto individual items in budget measures.
She supports abortion rights and vetoed a reporting bill last year, but spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said, "Governor Sebelius will need to carefully review this proviso if it reaches her desk."
Once the negotiators finished
Senators didn't want to include any of the provisions in the spending bill. Sen. Dwayne Umbarger (R-Thayer), their lead negotiator, argued such policy has no place in the budget — where it would remain in effect only one year, anyway.
He said he agreed on allowing one provision to clear the way for a deal on the entire spending bill. Rep. Sharon Schwartz (R-Washington), gave the same reason for backing off two of the three provisions.
"It's all about compromise," Schwartz said.
State law says that after the 21st week of pregnancy, a doctor can abort a viable fetus to save a woman's life or to prevent "substantial and irreversible harm" to "a major bodily function." Although the law doesn't specifically say that a major bodily function includes mental health, officials have enforced the law as if it did.
Santos Perez, left, wears an American flag at a rally and march in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday during an immigration demonstration. Demonstrators demanding a path to citizenship for an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants rallied around the nation, including Wichita, on Tuesday.
Paul Sakuma/ASSOCIATED PRESS
PROTESTS
Hispanic immigrants demand reforms
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WICHITA — Wrapped in an American flag, Margarita Aguirre passed dozens of small U.S. flags to protesters who were preparing to march down Wichita streets demanding immigration reforms.
The 18-year-old woman seized the microphone of a portable public address system and in Spanish urged several hundred gathered here to march together: "Without shame, let's go. Hispanics united — will never be defeated!"
And with her rallying cry, the group — far smaller than the 4,000 or so that marched here a year ago — slowly wound its way amid a drizzling rain to city hall.
The marchers chanted a refrain from farm labor organizer Cesar Chavez's rallying cry: "Si se puede!" ("Yes, we can." They carried signs reading, "Stop the raids and deportation" and "immigrant rights are labor rights." Speakers urged them not to be afraid.
Among them was Nicolas Vincalay, an illegal immigrant who works as a dishwasher so he can send money back to Mexico to support his wife and seven children, who are still there.
He works in the United States so that his children — ranging in ages from 14 to 32 — can get an education and pursue better careers.
"I don't want them to end up like me," he said in Spanish.
Vinalay said he joined the march to show his support his fellow countrymen.
"I hope the march attracts a lot of attention so that they know that we are still living here," he said.
Even though he is a legal resident, Manuel Irigoyen said he wanted protest to push for a solution to the immigration problem so that his people will no longer be seen as criminals.
Luz Elena Busciaga came to the march with two young children as a
He dismissed as foolish immigration proposals that call for stiff fines.
show of support for all immigrants. The woman, who is now a legal resident, came to the United States as an undocumented worker 27 years ago so that her children would have a better future.
"I want to show support for my compatriots, all the Hispanics who came here same as 1," she said in Spanish. "Where we came from there
was no work."
Antonio Hermosillo said he wanted to join with others who, like himself, are undocumented workers.
"I'd like to be able to leave and reenter the United States without being treated like a criminal, like a terrorist," Hermosillo said in Spanish.
Hermosillo, who works as a land-
scaper, has lived in the United States
for 14 years. In that time he has visited Mexico only twice because he fears getting stopped at the border.
Alex Molina, a community activist who has lived here for 35 years, hastily organized the march after finding out Hispanic advocacy groups in Wichita were not planning marches in conjunction with immigration protests nationwide.
Congratulations Class of 2007!
You've made it!
All we do,we do for KU.Since 1883,the KU Alumni Association has kept Hawks connected to KU!
- For more details about Commencement, go to www.commencement.ku.edu
Finally the all-nighters and daily treks up the Hill have paid off. As you prepare for Commencement, use the "Grad Guide" at www.kualumni.org for information about our graduation events, how to stay connected and life after KU.
Our graduation gift to you, discounted alumni memberships for $25.You'll want to join now to start receiving the Kansas Alumni magazine discounts, invitations to events and many other great benefits.
- Join the KU Alumni Association during Grad Grill on May 9 and receive a special KU Class of 2007 pint glass at the event.
Don't miss these great graduation events!
GRAD GRILL
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9
Adams Alumni Center
Join us for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student
Alumni Association. Don't miss out on great door prizes, free food and drinks. This is your chance to pick up information about alumni activities and services. Campus offices will be on hand to share information about their services to you...a proud KU graduate!
Get a free KU gift when you complete an application for the INTRUST Jayhawk bankcard. Please RSVP to saa@ku.edu by May 7.
COMMENCEMENT LUNCH
10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 20
The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before you walk down the Hill, celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for graduates and their guests. The KU Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner.
To attend, send in your registration card and pick up your tickets on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, May 1-16.
Questions?
Call the Alumni Association at 864-4760 e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or visit www.kualumni.org.