Page 2 West Craven HIGHLIGHTS, February 15, 1979
The
Washington Report
by
Rep. Walter B. Jones
For week beginning
Febraary 12, 1979
The main topic of conversation and interest last
week was the arrival of the American
Agricultural Movement members with their
trucks and tractors. By and large, it was an
orderly demonstration with a few exceptions
such as blocking the traffic in to the city on
Monday. On Wednesday, four or five inches of
snowfall cooled the demonstration to some
degree. The participants this year are
considerably less in number than the delegation
that was here last year.
Secretary of Agriculture, Bob Bergland, was
cross-examined by the House Agricuture
Committee at length during the week for some
four and one-half hours, with a room overflowing
with the American Agriculture members.
Bergland maintained his corpposure very well
and cited economic reasons why he did not feel it
would be in the best interest of the American
economy to grant their basic request for a
guaranteed 90 % of parity. Among other things
he said was that if this was done, we would
possibly lose 50 % of our agricultural exports due
to pricing ourselves out of the world market. We
are all aware that many farmers in the southeast
and part of the Midwest are in serious financial
straits. This concerns mainly the wheat and corn
producers. Chairman Tom Foley of the House
Agriculture Committee has announced public
hearings for four days for the week beginning
Feburary 12 in order that the representatives of
the different organizations can be heard as well
as other USDA officials. I am certain that every
Member of the House Committee on Agriculture
has an intense desire to see that the American
farmer receives a fair return on his investmentof
time and money.
As a Member of Congress, I feel that any
individual or group who feels that they have a
justified complaint against the government has
an inherent right to be heard. But sometimes the
cost of these demonstrations to the taxpayers is
overlooked in the emotional drama. Probably one
item not considered is the 1,000 or so Capitol Hill
Police, which under these circumstances, are
forced to work almost around the clock involving
massive overtime pay amounting to
approximately $100,000 per day. A small, but
yet, interesting item, is that the police are not
permitted any lunch hour, and therefore, are
furnished box lunches to be consumed at their
posts, and this runs approximately $2,500 for
each meal. Certainly this is no indictment of the
American farmers’ visit to Washington, but
applies to any and all demonstrations which
might occur.
Also last week the Subcommittee a.ssignments
were completed and of interest to the District, the
Tobacco Subcommittee is as follows; As
previously reported I will serve as Chairman:
and on the Democratic side are Tom Foley of the
State of Washington: Dawson Mathis of Georgia;
Charlie Whitley and Charlie Rose of North
(’arolina: and Alvin Baldus of Wisconsin-and on
the Republican side. Bill Wampler of Virginia:
Richard Kelly of Florida: and Larry Hopkins of
Kentucky.
The Committee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries concluded its a-ssignments, and I am
hariri.v to report that I will be the ranking
member on the Coast Guard Subcommittee. The
(\)mmittee this year will probably be faced with
certain legislation to financially implement the
Panama Canal treaty. In fact, a special
Subcommittee for this one subject was
appointed. At the fire.sent time it is my prediction
that the Panama (’anal treaty or at least the [lart
which the Hu.se will becalled upon to implement,
will face tough deliberations in the Committee.
Letters To The Editor] They’re fighting
Equality for all should fOF yOUF life
be the law
To the Editor:
February 9, 1979
I feel it is time to speak out in support of the Equal
Rights Amendment. Your article entitled "E. R. A.
Supporters Named” (Feb. 8, 1979) leads one to believe
that only communists, homosexuals, prostitutes and the
like favor the amendment. I strongly support the Equal
Rights Amendment and am not any of the above. I am
merely an individual who wishes to see that the equality
of all individuals be legitimized under the law. I think that
if the text of the amendment were carefully studied, many
people would find that their fears are completely
unfounded. I would urge all those who favor the
amendment to do so with as much ardor as those who
have opposed it. Sincerely,
Peggy Preston Hickle
Senator
Joseph E.
Thomas
Legislative Report
February 9, 1979
One of the most interesting aspects of the Morehead
City Tributary Area, the Second Senatorial District, is the
wide diversification of employment. Although our indus
trial opportunities and future are only now being fully
realized, the agricultural, military, fishing, and shipping
have long been recog;nized.
Such diversification, however, does not giuarantee that
the Second District will be automatically allowed to take
its rightful place among the leading areas in North
Carolina as well as the much talked-about southern “Sun
Belt.”
Because such guarantees are not forthcoming, one of my
main priorities as a State Senator is to assure that the
immense possibilities of this area are known to the people
of North Carolin(i and the rest of the country.
Of course, the most recent victory in this effort was the
appointment by Governor Hunt of a trade representative
for the Morehead City Port last week.
Another means by which this effort can continue is
through the committee assignments of the Second District
representatives in the State Legislature. I believe I have
been most fortunate in this critical area since virtually
every one of my committee assignments deals with some
aspect of the economic base of the Carteret, Craven,
Pamlico area-in particular, the Veterans and Military
Affairs Committee, Transportation, Economy, and
Finance.
As a member of Natural and Economic Resources, I was
selected last week to serve as the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Marine Fisheries Law Amendments.
This Subcommittee will be studying several amend
ments designed to tighten up marine law violations and to
protect the important commercial fishing industry of the
coastal area. At some time in the near future, I will be
soliciting your opinions on these important amendments so
that we might pass legislation which can further enhance
our fishing economy.
In the Senate Economy Committee hearing last week,
we were treated to a rather detailed outlook of the
agricultural picture for the next couple of years. Though
the picture is not nearly as bright as we would like. North
Carolina State Universitya expert, W. D. Toussaint,
predicts that farm income for 1979 will be slightly up and
that production costs might possibly stabilize by 1980.
Hopefully, such predictions might come about and, at least
inpart, help the beleaguered farmer.
Another interesting topic to surface in the Capital last
week was bingo. The State House was literally over-run
by opponents of a proposed bill aimed at tightening the
regulations of bingo games.
Although we must move cautiously on this subject, I
believe that the regulations can be tightened to avoid
private operators from making a profit and yet still
protect legitimate non-profit organizations.
On one final note, the public hearing on removal of the
containerized freight crane from Morehead City is
scheduled for February 21, 1979 at 12:00 noon. We need a
good turn-out of people supporting the crane in order to
help turn the tide. I hope you will be able to attend.
by Connie Bryan
In searching for a topic for my very first editorial, I
thought what better subject than the important work
being done by the American Heart Association. The 1979
Heart Fund Campaign is well underway. Volunteers
throughout Craven County are hard at work collecting the
funds so necessary for this important work. The Heart
Fund helps to support the vital programs of rehabilitation,
education and research.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the country
today. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels account for
more than half of the total number of deaths in the United
States and in Craven County. High blood pressure affects
33 million Americans. It is the leading cause of heart
attacks, strokes, and kidney failures.
The Heart Association realizes the danger, if high blood
pressure is left untreated. Because it has no apparent
symptoms, you may not realize that you have it. The only
way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have
it checked. It is a simple, painless, examination, which
only takes a few minutes. If you have not had your blood
pressure checked, I urge you to see a doctor or stop by
the Heart Association’s blood pressure screening prog;ram.
One of these is scheduled for February 17 from 9:30 to
5:30 at Belk Department store in New Bern. A Registered
Nurse will be on hand to check blood pressures and give
out free information.
Other projects of the Heart Fund include balloon and
tag sales on February 17 from 10:00 to 3:00 at Nichol’s,
Roses, and Clark’s. Students and other volunteers will be
giving red Heart Fund balloons or tags to contributors.
The Heart Association offers the public information on a
variety of health questions. I join them in urging everyone
to have regular medical check-ups, to get plenty of
exercise, to eat less saturated fat, and to cut out smoking.
They are working to help you live a longer, happier, and
more active life.
When a representative of the Heart Fund contacts you,
please give generously. , ,
PTA donates
playground equipment
The Vanceboro Elemen
tary and Farm Life Parent-
Teachers Association
recently presented the two
schools with checks totaling
$575. This money will be
used to purchase play
ground equipment. The
teachers at the two schools
were given $25 each for the
needed equipment.
Richard Bowers, principal
of Farm Life, reported that
orders for playground balls,
jump ropes, hula hoops, and
other equipment have
already been placed. He
announced that tumbling
mats and additional equip
ment for the Farm Life
gym are also being pur
chased with other funds.
Oak Grove
Ladies meet
The Ladies auxiliary met
February 6 at the home of
Mrs. Charlie Carrow. The
Meeting was called to order
by President Daisy Mc-
Lawhorn. She welcomed
everyone and thanked Mrs.
Carrow for being hostess.
Mrs. Josh Smith, program
chairman, asked Mrs. Gene
va Lewis to open the lesson
with prayer. Each of the
ladies took part in the les
son and prayer for the sick.
The group discussed a
benefit dinner on March 2,
for Camp Vandermere, NX.
The meeting was ended by
prayer from Mrs. Pauline
Shivers. The next meeting
will be at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Josh Smith.
The West Crsven
HIGHLIGHTS
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