thebattalion ● monday,
october 26, 2009
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media
Hate crimes bill passes ■ Assault based on sexual orientation is federal crime Tiffany Neal Special to The Battalion On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that expanded the civil rights-era hate crime law, making it a federal crime to physically assault an individual based on their sexual orientation. The bill is named after Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Matthew was a homosexual Wyoming student who died after being kidnapped and brutally beaten in 1998. Byrd was a black man from Jasper, Texas who was dragged to death that same year. “The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is significant on many levels, but at the base of everything, this act finally extends the basic human right of safety from hate-based acts of violence to a segment of the population that is often subjected to bias on the individual and community level,” said Lowell Kane, GLBT Resource Center Program coordinator. After years of being defeated in Congress, the hate crimes bill was attached to a $680 billion defense authorization bill to assure passage. The bill now needs the signature of President Barack Obama — who has already pledged his signature — to become a law. See Hate Crimes on page 5
Aggies honor victims
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A&M 52, TEXAS TECH 30
Back on track Saturday success Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman celebrates with Uzoma Nwachukwu (left) and Aaron Arterburn (right) and the rest of the team after the victory against Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday.
Aggies take fourth win After a 52-30 beatdown of Texas Tech in Lubbock, the Aggies move to 4-3 in 2009. Check the details at
thebatt.com
Violence Vigil to bring community together
Vicky Flores
Katy Ralston
See Vigil on page 5
Pg. 1-10.26.09.indd 1
Texas A&M vs. Iowa State 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Students promote ‘going green’
■ Domestic
The Battalion Tuesday night a flicker of light will represent a flicker of hope when candles burn bright for the victims and survivors of domestic and dating violence. The Brazos County Coalition Against Domestic Violence will have the 15th annual Candlelight Vigil in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Brazos Cotton Exchange in Bryan. “The vigil brings community members together with those who help victims of domestic and dating violence every day in order to learn more about the domestic violence issues impacting our community; honor survivors who are now leading violence-free lives; and remember all of those who have died as a result of domestic violence,” said Ashley McCollum, the coalition’s, public outreach committee chairwoman. In 2008, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported 193,505 family violence incidents across Texas. That year, 136 women and 11 children were killed as a result of domestic violence, one of which was 1-year-old Bezni Que King of College Station.
What’s Next
Natasha Sankovich — THE BATTALION
Scene | 6
Record thrills While participants did not break a Guinness World Record, Aggies did help break the record for the Record Holders Republic Saturday at Sbisa when they danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as part of the global event “Thrill the World.”
The Battalion Giveaways on campus help spread the importance of being environmentally-friendly and promote a day devoted to going green. After being delayed, the second annual Sustainability Day will take place Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sbisa Plaza. “Sustainability Day is for us to promote the message of living to provide a better future for the future generations by building a community with our neighbors, classmates and professors,” said Kristen Williams of the Aggie Community Garden. Volunteers with the Aggie Community Garden will be in the plaza promoting the benefits of home growing vegetables and providing a platform for a healthier lifestyle. Kelly Wellman, sustainability officer for the office of vice president for Facilities said the event will have informational booths from representatives from both College Station and Bryan, such as the Aggie Community Garden, a farmers’ market and the office of sustainability. “Booths will provide information as well as small giveaways such as food and reusable grocery bags,” Wellman said. Sustainability Day on the national level was established seven years ago. When the office of sustainability was formed, officers decided Texas A&M also needed to push the issue of sustainability, Wellman said. Because there was an overwhelming amount of student responses from the previous year’s event, it enforced the plan to make the day an annual event.
More Info What: Sustainability Day celebration Who: The Aggie Community Garden Where: Sbisa Plaza When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Evan Andrews — THE BATTALION
See Sustainability on page 5
10/25/09 9:57 PM