European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 4 8 the stars and stripes sunday september 22,1991 Rehnquist lobbies House members on handgun Bill Washington apr chief Justice William Rehnquist took the unusual step Friday of asking House members to reject a Senate passed provision that would make most murders committed with handguns a Federal crime that carries the death penalty. Rehnquist a lobbying Effort against two provisions of the Senate a crime Bill came As the House judiciary committee prepared for a drafting session monday on its version of anti crime legislation. The Senate provision introduced by sen. Alfonse do Amato r-n.y., would apply to All murders committed with handguns that moved across state lines. A companion provision also sponsored by do Amato would make it a Federal crime with a 10-year prison sentence for using a handgun to commit a violent felony. The sentence would jump to 20 years in the weapon were fired. Both provisions were adopted by lopsided Senate votes Over the objections of lawmakers who said they would put further strains on the already overburdened Federal courts. Opponents also argued that Congress would be trampling on the prerogatives of states to handle most criminal prosecutions. The Federal death penalty for murders committed with handguns that moved in interstate Commerce could be invoked in the 14 states that do not have capital punishment a statement from Rehnquist said the do Amato amendments a will swamp the Federal courts with routine cases that states Are better equipped to handle and will weaken the ability of the Federal courts effectively to Deal with difficult criminal cases that present uniquely Federal the expanded Federal jurisdiction a would be inconsistent with Long accepted concepts of federalism and would ignore the boundaries Between appropriate state and Federal action the statement said. The provisions were rejected last summer by the House judiciary crime subcommittee but rep. F. James Sensen Brenner r-wis., plans to reintroduce them in the full committee this week. There Are nearly 12,000 handgun murders each year nationwide and 95 percent of them involve guns that moved across state lines said a study of the possible Impact of the provisions prepared by the administrative office of . Courts. The study also estimated that it could Cost Between s54.6 million to $1 billion to prosecute criminals for using handguns to commit other felonies. There Are nearly 136,000 such crimes committed each year the study said. Principal s rape remark upsets Texas students Houston up some students and teachers at a suburban High school Are upset about their principals comments linking provocative clothing to rape. Spring Woods High principal Perry Pope made the comments Over the school Public address system about the rape of a student abducted As she walked to a nearby Middle school. Pope said he wanted to Tell students about the tuesday rape and encourage them to be cautious and Alert. As he neared the end of his talk Pope warned students against wearing provocative clothing. A i was worried about the girls a a teacher said thursday. A what upset me was he was putting the blame on the some students a male and female a described Popes comments As insensitive. A i thought it was stupid a said a 17-year-old student who asked not to be identified. A i just think he does no to know what he a Pope later acknowledged that he had used poor judgment but he did not apologize to the schools 1,800 students. A i think 1 made an error linking student dress with a tragic event a he said adding that his Only intention was to offer a safety lesson to students and that he did not intend to trigger a juror. Josh Randall of Erin n.y., sits inside a 4-foot-Square Bamboo Cage Friday in Wellsboro pa., where about 80 people gathered to watch a re enactment of life in a vietnamese prisoner of War Camp. Veterans re enact life in vietnamese Camps Wellsboro a. Apr a town Square that looks like a Page out of Norman Rockwell Samerica became a Jungle stockade on a Day set aside to remember . Military personnel missing in action. As veterans groups nationwide paused for pow Mia recognition Day about 80 people gathered in Wellsboro on Friday to watch a re enactment of life in a vietnamese prisoner of War Camp a guard marched five Volunteer a a prisoners past Gas Street lamps toward a barbed wire enclosed compound set up on the town Green. One prisoner Josh Randall of Erin n.y., climbed into a 4-foot-Square Bamboo Cage while the guard jabbed a Bayonet near his feet. A ask yourself a How would i feel if it was me How would 1 feel if my country abandoned me after fighting for it a a said Fred Youmans president of the North Central Pennsylvania veterans coalition which organized the program in this town near the new York state line. Planners recognized the program could disturb former pos and asked a therapist to be present. A there had been some concern expressed at our meetings about whether this was too vivid too touching a said Veteran Dave Muffley of Tioga a. But therapist Donald Benelli who counsels Vietnam Era veterans said he believed the presentation would be beneficial. A if it brings up the feelings and they talk about it with a therapist or even with a significant other that will in itself be part of the Healing process a he contenders woo party activists los Angeles apr seven declared and possible democratic presidential candidates paraded before party activists from across the nation Over the weekend As the late starting 1992 Campaign suddenly begins to take shape. _ the cattle show of candidates was the highlight of a three Day party meeting that served As the unofficial. Opening of the contest for the democratic nomination. In the working sessions and receptions both the contenders and their aides worked frenetically to line up support from the activists most of whom arc delegates to next years nominating convention. One session featured Back to Back appearances by the candidates and possible candidates including Iowa sen. Tom Harkin Arkansas gov. Bill Clinton former Massachusetts sen. Paul Tsongas and former California gov. Edmund g. Brownjr. Also on the speakers list were two time democratic candidate Jesse Jackson and Oklahoma democratic rep. Dave Mccurdy both of whom Are mulling the race. For Mer Irvine calif., mayor Larry Agran won a speaking Slot too although few take his candidacy seriously. Tsongas Clinton Brown and Harkin were Host of receptions and also worked other gatherings in search of support. After months in which so Many democrats decided against joining the 1992 Field the sudden activity was a Welcome sight for party activists. A thank god we be got our candidates Quot said the party a chairman Ronald h. Brown. Clinton was the busiest in making the rounds using an appearance before democratic state chairmen to offer a spirited indictment of a National government he said suffered from a a Frozen dependence Quot on status quo policies and wealthy special interests. A the fundamental obligation of our party in this election season is to be the party of change Quot he said. Clinton expected to enter the race in the next two weeks said no Democrat should be Given the nomination without first pledging to enact a National health care f in his first year in office. It appeared he was trying to k Nebraska sen. Bob Kerrey who has proposed a he care plan from claiming the Issue As his own. Kerrey and Virginia gov. L. Douglas Wilder decide skip the meeting but had aides on hand. In their appearances Friday Tsongas and in warned the party that it needs to abandon some of its Dit ional approaches. Tsongas promoted his pro business economic age saying a the Way we re going to beat George Bush in Long run is economics. People Are Brown peppered the state chairmen with a fiery Tern pounding attack in which he charged that politics become captive to special interests and big Money said his role in the Campaign was to be a catalyst for Grer grass roots involvement in the party. He said All glitzy candidates ads and Money in the world wont do pm banh its underdog Campa in against p
