University Daily Kansan / Mondav. April 22. 1991
Senate ethics bill weak, group says
By Joe Gose
Kansan staff writer
5
A government watchdog group blasted the Kansas Senate on Friday for weakening and passing the House version of the ethics bill.
Common Cause/Kansas, a non-profit, non-partisan citizens' lobby group, said the Senate's version of the bill would make tougher reforms from the House version.
Bob Woolf, executive director of the group, said the most controversial difference between the two versions was that the one that Nassas could be issued by the Public
Disclosure Commission, the state agency in charge of the enforcement
"Just like last year, the House voted in favor of full investigative subpoena power, and the Senate gutted it," he said.
The Senate's version of the bill would require the commission to prove probable cause and give the suspected violator 30 days notice before it could issue a subpoena for records or individuals.
"Not only do they give someone 30 days to burn the records and hide the evidence, but they also forbid the
commission from investigating anything that occurred before the first of last year," Woolf said. "Now who are they protecting with that?"
State Sen. Bill Morris, R-Wichita, who was against any kind of ethics reform, said approval of a such bill would not protect anyone but would leave the legislative process unprotected.
"The bill would restrict open government, not promote it," he said. "People who want to come to Topeka and speak for small groups would be even more reluctant to do so with the provisions in this measure. I find the
entire measure contained in this bill insulting."
State Sen. Wint Winter Jr., R-Lawrence, who voted for the measure, said that ethics of some kind was needed and that a conference would be set to resolve House and Senate differences in the bill sometime this week.
He said Common Cause/Kansas had a legitimate concern about the subpoena issue.
"I think they're right about that," Winter said. "I think it's going to get strengthened. I would hope so."
Monday
■ KU Wellness Center will sponsor a stress-management workshop at 12:10 p.m. Monday at 138 Robinson.
■ Recycling Task Force will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Regionalist Room in the Kansas Union.
Monday at the Walnut Room in the Kansas Union.
Hispanic American Leadership Organization will meet at 6:30 p.m.
KU Tae Kwon Do Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at 207 Robinson
**Women's Transitional Care Services will have a support group for battered women at 7 p.m. Monday. Call 841-6887 for the location.**
Tuesday
KU Wellness Center will sponsor a workshop called "Overcoming Overeating" at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday at 138 Robinson.
Women's Resource Center will
sponsor "Women's Recognition Program" at 8 p.m. tuesday at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union Building at 8:30 p.m. tuesday at 130 Robinson
Wednesdav
■ The Office of Foreign Student Services will sponsor an information session on practical training for graduating foreign students at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Regional Room in the Kansas Union.
the Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.
University Forum will have a luncheon at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday at
KU KWellness Center will sponsor a stress-management workshop at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday at 138 Robinson.
■ KU Tae Kwon Do Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 207 Robinson.
Thursdav
KU Wellness Center will sponsor an workshop called "Overcoming Overeating" at 12:10 p.m. Thursday at 138 Robinson
- Graduate students and graduating seniors should see their advisers regarding departmental nominations.
- Graduate Direct Exchange Abroad.
By Amy Francis Kansan staff writer
KU Med Center starts Donor Awareness Week
Room 44 B became home for Luther Burris for 73 days while he waited. He was ready at 4:50 p.m. Feb. 25, when he was told his waist was over.
He was asked if he wanted a heart. He said "yes."
Burris, 32. Cauney resident, was the 50th heart transplant patient at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
He said he hoped more people would become aware of the need for organ donation.
"A lot of people are unaware." Burris said. "I was unaware before I had any trouble, but you learn an awful lot."
The Med Center is trying to do just that this week. Yesterday was the first day of National Organ and Tissue Done Awareness Week. An information table will be in the lobby of the hospital this week.
Barbara Flakus, cardiac transplant coordinator for the Med Center, said one of the goals of the week was to show the need for organ donors.
"There is a big demand for organs right now." she said.
The average wait for an organ transplant is 255 days. An organ is issued on the basis of blood type, compatibility, how long patients have been waiting and the patient's conditions.
The demands for donors has increased because there are more possible recipients but not more donors, she said.
Prioritix to the donor also is a large factor, she said. The Med Center offers two possible recipients within close proximity to the hospital. If an organ becomes
available, the patient must be at the hospital quickly.
For a live organ transplant, such as a heart, liver or lungs, the organ is taken from someone who is brain damaged or life-support systems. Flakus said.
Non-life organs, such as eyes, can be taken from a donor who has been deceased.
It takes 12 to 24 hours from the time an organ is found to the end of the surgery. The organ is matched to a recipient through the United Network for Organ Sharing and a local organ bank, she said.
"Every recipient for an organ is listed on a national network," she said.
Such fears are unwarranted. Flakus said.
One reason for the lack of donors is that families often fear that a body will be mutilated if any of its organs become available for donation.
Another reason is that people often do not inform their families that they want to donate their organs after they die, she said. People without family objections can indicate that they would like to donate organs.
"It is very important to discuss their wishes with their significant family member," Flakus said. "People don't realize that signing the back of a driver's license or donor card is not legally binding."
Although the Med Center has a policy that the donor's identity must be kept confidential, contact can be provided in request of the donor's family, she said.
"Families like to be aware of the organ is," she said. "They like to know that this person did not die in vain."
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We Pile It On!
WE WANT YOU TO PURCHASE A 1991 JAYHAWKER YEARBOOK
The 1991 Jayhawker Yearbook will be on sale today thru May 3. Distribution tables will be set up in front of the Kansas Union and Wescoe Hall from 10 - 3 daily. Bring your KUID to pick up your reserved copy or you can purchase one for $25. If you have any questions call 864-3728