European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 10, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes . Wednesday August 10,1994 Clinton stands by Espy in inquiry Washington a agriculture Secretary Mike Espy got a vote of Confidence monday from the White House about his contacts with a poultry producer who is also close to president Clinton. The statement came As attorney general Janet Reno is poised to ask for an Independent counsel to examine Espy s contacts with Tyson foods inc., the a Kansas based poultry giant. Critics have questioned whether the Secretary s relationship with the poultry Industry was related to a delay in tougher inspection procedures that the poultry Industry opposed. Such regulations were adopted under pressure from consumer groups but Only after proposals were scrapped by Espy s then chief of staff Ronald Blackey. A key Issue in the Case is whether Espy accepted travel lodging and professional football tickets from Don Tyson head of the nation s largest Chicken pro Ducer. Allegations that Espy accepted other Small gifts have also come to Light including one that his office asked Chicago based Quaker Oats for Chicago bulls playoff tickets in 1993 when Espy was to be in that City on Busi Ness. The Case had been examined by the agriculture department s office of inspector general which referred the matter to the Justice department. The agriculture depart Merrt wimp so to see whether accepting gratuities violated the meat inspection act of 1907. But the Justice department has also questioned former and current employees of the food safety and inspection service about possible interference by Espy aides with the Agency s efforts to develop the tougher regulations. Neither Espy his press office nor his attorney Reid h. Weingarten made any comment on the Case Mon Day. But White House press Secretary Dee Dee Myers said of Espy the president continues to stand behind him. I think until the facts speak otherwise the presi Dent has every reason to have Confidence in or.  Myers said the White House has strict rules about accepting gifts including rides on corporate jets. And the president expects that they be observed she said. The investigation has focused on Espy s trip in May 1993 on a Tyson air plane to washing Tea from Russell Ville ark., where Espy spoke to the Arkansas poultry federation. Espy has said he reimbursed Tyson for the trip which was necessary because he had to Fly Back to Washington quickly. Espy also said he repaid the Poul try federation for his accommodations at the Tyson management Center. Tyson spokesman Archie r. Schaffer confirmed that Espy s companion Patricia Dempsey did not. Reimburse the company for her accommodations or he travel with Espy. Patricia Dempsey is a private citizen Schaffer said. She is not a government employee or related to or.  in Espy s defense aides contend that the food safety and inspection service had been slow to respond to the need for improved poultry inspections Long before spy took office in january 1993. In the stars and stripes 10 years ago aug. 10,1984 iraqi warplanes attacked an iranian Oil platform in the second confirmed iraqi airstrike in the persian Gulf Over a 48-hour period. 20 years ago aug. 10,1974 declaring that our Long National Nightmare is " Over Gerald Ford took the oath As 38th president of the United states promising an administration of openness and Candor. 30 years ago aug 10,1964 China intends to Volunteer Aid to North Vietnam to fight . Aggression sources in London quoted a chinese official in Beijing As saying. 40 years ago aug. 10,1954 the . State department announced plans to establish a ship lift to evacuate More than 100,000 anti communist Refu. Gees from Northern Vietnam to free areas of the War torn nation. 50 years ago aug. 10,1944 two american privates on night patrol discovered a column of German tanks and other vehicles on the move and helped foil a nazi counterattack designed to Cin through . Lines toward the sea at a ranches France. \ world War ii 50 years ago today aug. 10 1 944 polish resistance fighters defending Warsaw against brutal German  to the allies f6r air support after the soviet forces stopped just East of the City refuse to help. . Troops begin Clearing out the Small groups of japanese soldiers still holding out in Guam s Jungle the last known survivor will surrender on the Pacific Island 27 years after the War ends. Source 2194 Days of War w. H. Smith publishers inc. The world almanac of world War it Bison books corp., 1981 a slain abortion clinic escort buried Arlington a. A on the Eye of what would have been his 75th birthday abortion clinic escort James  was buried with military honors  before he was shot to death july 29 in front of an abortion clinic in Pensa cola fla., Barrett had been looking for Ward with excitement to the party trend All parties said the Rev. Paul John son a unitarian minister and Friend. Our lives have been touched by the life of Jim Barrett said Johnson addressing Barrett s widow sons and daughter at Arlington National Ceme Tery. The 100 or so mourners included others who escort abortion patient through protesters at clinics. Barrett was killed As he was escorting or. John Britton into the clinic. Britton also died in the attack. Police have charged a Veteran protester Paul Hill ugh two counts of murder and one of at tempted murder. Barrett s widow june Barrett who was shot in the Arm received the american Flag folded by Barrett s military pall bearers after a bugler blew taps. James Barretts cremated remains were buried later. _ his daughter Dandy Barrett witty and two sons were at the service. A grandson Sean witty played the hymn amazing Grace on his guitar. James Barrett grew up in Annapolis,md., obtained a Pilot s License As a teen Ager and joined the army air corps. He was commissioned in 1941 before the outbreak of world War ii and began service immediately As a navigator earn ing the Bronze Star among other decorations. He served in the air Force through the a Force a Philip Guin presents a . Hag to june bar rett widow of retired it. Col. James h. Barrett who was slain at an abortion clinic. Korean and Vietnam wars and was Mili tary attache to the . Ambassador to saudi Arabia during the Arab israeli Warin 1967. He retired As a lieutenant Colo Nel in 1969. Obtained a teaching certificate from Southwest Texas state University in san Marcos and taught Middle schoolmate and biology for 11 years. His first wife Dorothy died. Several years later he met june a retired . Public health service nurse and they married in 1990. They worked together a abortion clinic escorts. Jim had a Way of instilling Confidence in people Johnson said. I think of Jim caring for and protecting others and speaking his mind freely and clearly. His final act was in the service of others. We have been enriched to have known him Clinton honors 9 with top crw fian medal Washington a president Clinton awarded the nation s highest civilian Honor monday to nine americans including House minority Leader Robert Michel civil rights crusaders Barbara Jordan and Dorothy height and newspaper cartoonist Herbert Block. Presiding Over an awards ceremony in the test room Clinton said the recipients of the presidential medal of free Dom embody the Best of what we mean by the term american  the recipients Are Michel a Republican congressman who is retiring after representing a District that includes Peoria 111., since 1957. Jordan a former congresswoman who is a professor and civil rights Cham Pion. She teaches at the Lyndon b. John son school of government at the univer sity of Texas. Height a civil rights activist a Pioneer in the Young women s Christia association and National Council of negro women and a crusader for women s rights. _ Block better known by his pen name Herb lock who has contributed to the Washington Post editorial Page with his cartoons since 1946, the year Clintonwes born. The late Cesar Chavez founder of the United farm workers of America and one of the most influential labor leaders of the Century. Arthur Flemming who served under every president from Franklin Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan including a stint As Secretary of health education and Wel fare. He is a longtime advocate of health care Reform. James. Grant executive director of Unicof who once led a Relief Convoy into the besieged City of Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina after brokering cease fire. Lane Kirkland president of the Al Cio. Robert Sargent Shriver who helped president Kennedy establish the peace corps. Clinton was joined at the ceremony by his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton. As you might imagine the president said one of the great pleasures of the presidency is selecting recipients of the presidential medal of  be