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Show A Year of Change Several conditions have served to involve the American people in the attitudes found on a national level last year. Drug dependence emerged as the nation's number one worry. Crack, a boiled-down version of cocaine sold in hard pellets, became the symbol of euphoria as well as death. Officials have become worried about the manufacture of synthetic drugs, which pack much more of a wallop than cocaine or heroine. Its feared that they will be the basis of the next drug epidemic. Thirteen-year-old Deanna Young of Tustin, Calif, turned her parents in for drug abuse after months of imploring them to stop. Officials closed in on a stockbrokerage company known as Brooks, Weinger, Robbins and Leeds. It was called "Operation Closing Bell" and dealt with drug dealing on Wall Street: drug trading for insider stock tips, false names on important documents. Along the same lines, the U.S. financial world was rocked when insider trading on Wall Street resulted in criminal charges filed against several wealth financiersspeculators. The Rogers Commission found NASA responsible for the avoidable accident to the space shuttle "Challenger" in January of 1986. In August, the new Tax Reform Act of 1986 was passed and businesses will pay more taxes as opposed to a top individual rate of 28 percent, li did not add exceptions and reductions, but switched the tax load from individuals to businesses. The flight of the lightweight plane "Voyager" was a landmark in aviation history. It was accomplished by pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeagcr without stopping or refueling. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) became one of the vital issues as to whether further sex education and condom-use should be taught and displayed in "tasteful" advertisements on television. baby in question, was caught in the middle between her natural mother and biological father. The judge ruled in favor of the biological father, Stern, for the reason that the natural mother, Whitehead, had made a binding contract with the Sterns to carry the child to full term for $10,000. He ruled that the contract could not be broken. President Ronald Reagan nominated William Pehnquist as 16th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He succeeded Warren Burger and was known as the "Lone Ranger" because of his views on liberal activism. 1 the Nation Evangelist Oral Roberts delivered an ultimatum to the religious world last January: if he did not collect $4.5 million within three months, then "God could call Oral Roberts home." The money was to be used for medical graduates from his university to serve overseas' missions. The money eventually filled his coffers before the deadline was up. Religious television pastor Jim Bakker and wife Tammy found themselves in the middle of an "unholy row," nicknamed "Pearly Gates," which involved sex, greed and ministerial rivalries. He resigned from his duties. Surrogate motherhood came into focus with the court case of Whitehead vs. Stern. Baby M, the f- "-- t-""' " "" --' X - til Reagan also came under fire when his administration, apparently acting on his orders, secretly shipped military equipment to Iran despite a strict embargo against that country for terrorism. It appeared to be an attempt to release hostages held in the Middle East. And presidential-hopeful Gary Hart jumped off the bandwagon into the fire when he committed political suicide by associating with model Donna Rice in a questionable relationship, according to the Miami Herald. Our lady of the lamp, the Statue of Liberty, raised her newly-cleaned torch just a little higher as the nation celebrated her 100th birthday last July 4 with a variety of activities. The symbolism this lady represents to immigrants around the world culminated in the passing of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which provides the opportunity for aliens who have lived and worked in the U.S. since 1981 to apply for status as permanent residents this last May 5. Linda R. Nimori F.d wards AFB, Calif. -Dec. 14. 1986 The experimental aircraft Voyager drags both wings on the tarmac. It took off on a nonstop, non-refuel trip around the world. March 20. 1987 Television evangelist Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy are shown here. Bakker recently announced his resignation as chairman of his PTL ministry, turning it over to fellow evangelist Jerry Falwell. April 4, 1987 William Stern plays happily with his daughter "Baby M " after being awarded custody of the child by a New Jersey court. The judge who ruled in the case also upheld the surrogate motherhood contract between Stern and Mary Beth Whitehead. Washington, D.C.-Dec. 9, 1986 Lt. Col. Oliver North is sworn in before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill. North cited his Fifth Amendment rights and refused to answer committee questions involving the Iran arms sale. SignOff Tuesday, June 2, 1987 3 A |