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Show House leader asks for China trip goals SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah House majority leader David Clark is calling on lawmakers to set specific goals for a taxpayer-funded trip several legislators will make to China this summer. "I hope there is some accountability," said Clark, who will lead the delegation along with Senate majority leader Curt Bramble. "I am personally not taking this trip saying, 'This is just"eight days in China.'" The group, featuring some of Utah's most influential lawmakers, is scheduled to travel to China's Liaoning Province in early July. Clark will ask legislative leaders during meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday to create specific expectations for the diplomatic trip beyond the currently vague purpose of creating new economic ties and furthering educational and cultural exchanges. Bramble defends the trip to Liaoning. "It is hardly what you would call a junket," he said. "It really is to establish relations with another government." The delegation will include eight Republicans and four Democrats. It's one of several international trips Utah's lawmakers will make this year, but is the only one funded entirely by taxpayers. About $18,000 has been set aside for the trip, but it could cost more. At least a few Democrats have expressed concern about the trip. "Lets just say, I'm not certain I'm going to go," said Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay. She said she is intrigued by China's educational system and believes there could be some economic benefit derived from building relationships. But she hasn't seen any specifics from Republicans who are planning this trip. "I would like to know more about what they would like to gain from it," she said. Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, believes those goals need to be clearly and publicly stated. "If taxpayers ftind trips like that, taxpayers deserve to know where their benefit lies," said Jones, who is not going on any international legislative trips. Legislators have gone or will go to Algeria, Taiwan, Tlirkey and Kyrgyzstan by the end of the year. The trips are funded by foreign governments, national organizations or big business. Lawmakers also participate on international visits arranged by organizations such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, which is primarily funded by state money, and the Senate Presidents' Forum, a business-funded nonprofit. The Liaoning visit has been a few years in the making. Clark touts the trip as a "trade mission," similar to the delegation Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. led to China last year. • SILENT QUAKES From page 1 Silent quakes have not occurred in Utah, he said. However, there is a GPS measuring system located near Sardine Canyon that has been set up by the University of Utah and EarthScope. "You never really know. We are very close to a fault here. The East Cache Fault has certainly produced greater than magnitude 7 earthquakes and it will do so in the future," Lowry said. Lowry is currently in the process of installing GPS systems in Colorado and New Mexico. He said these instruments often sit in one specific location for more than 10 years. When silent quakes are recorded in high-risk areas, the seismic hazard level is raised for safety reasons. "Because we are recognizing that stress is being placed on areas where we expect large earthquakes, they raise the seismic hazard level," Lowry said. Lowry began studying silent earthquakes while in New Zealand during the mid 1990s. During his stay there, he said he happened upon different kinds of data supporting the idea of silent quakes. At the time, however, Lowry said few people in the field were recognizing such movements. Soon after, he started seriously researching these subtle movements in an effort to determine their exact role in high magnitude earthquakes. He said, "These are going on all the time, and they are probably related somehow." -ariek@cc.usu.edu Kick up your heels Jamiecmne/jamieaaneQccusu.edu BllSTA GROOVE WAS HELD in the TSC Sunburst Lounge Friday night. Prizes were given out following a drawing. Ogden resident Cory was one of the many participants in the dance competition. HOWL From page 1 we want in traditions," Flake said. The tradition, though in its infancy, has already made a lot of noise outside the confines of Merrill-Cazier. An Associated Press report of the howl appeared in papers from New York to California, as well as on Web sites for FOX News and NBC. One of the finals week howl's creators has even been nominated for a Robin's Award for Achievement of the Year. "It's very, very flattering that someone would think that I did at least conjure up an achievement. We take this tradition seriously," DeFries said. DeFries said he is pleased that now he and his howl cohorts can openly promote the event, instead of being forced to be secretive about it, using word-of-mouth advertising as they had done in the past. And though he doesn't know where he'll be at 10 p.m. on May 2, DeFries said he knows he will definitely be howling, along with anyone else who needs to relieve a little tension. Its easy, DeFries said. "Tilt your head back at a 45degree angle, cup your hands and howl like there's no tomorrow." Even if there is, and it looms with a final exam. ~jenbeasley@ccMsu.edu ROTC From page 1 judgment." People will have to take some risks to keep integrity, he said, pointing to the examples of officers who refused to sign illegal paperwork and gave up promotions as a result of their actions. He also said officers sometimes have to sacrifice things they want to benefit others. "When we were supporting young Americans in harms way, you don't take a day off. That's service before self," Harrison said. Judging people is also dangerous, he said. . "Don't color all.Arabs a.id Muslims in an evil light," Harrison said, "There's evil everywhere and what we're fighting is evil concepts." Officers need to be careful and always take care of the people under them, he said. Harrison also said to never underestimate the enlisted officers and never overestimate an officer's brain power. The night ended with Lt. Col. Michael Swift giving the Warrior Spirit awards to outstanding cadets. Cadets Jay Goold, Amanda Callister, Jonathan Tolman and Justin Gibbons were all honored at the banquet. Swift then gave out what he said was the highest award an ROTC cadet could receive, the Distinguished Graduate award, to Michael Vilven. The awards were based on appearance, attitude, enthusiasm in duty performance, physical fitness and impact on flight morale, performance, motivation and team events. -dilewis@cc.usu.edu Briefs Tampus & Communit Student wins public relations award Megan Lisonbee Scott of Salt Lake City, a senior majoring in public relations at USU, won the Utah Public Relations Student of the Year competition, sponsored by Richter7, the state's largest, locally-owned advertising and public relations agency. The award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship, is given to a Utah college student each year on the basis of academic record, work experience and aptitude for success in public relations as demonstrated through a written case study and oral presentation, according to Tim Brown, Richter7 partner. "Creating the PR Student of the Year award pushes for excellence from future professionals in the field," Brown said. "We've seen excellent students surface from USU. Three of the last five recipients have been from USU, which speaks very highly of the university and its leadership." Award contenders were asked to generate a hypothetical public relations plan for Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan. The goal was to restore her image and regain her credibility as a responsible and dedicated young actress. Richter7 makes this scholarship available annually, and it is open to all Utah college students pursuing a degree or career relating to public relations. Professor selected as Fulbright Specialist Edward M. Reeve, a professor in the department of engineering and technology education at USU, has been selected for a Fulbright Senior Specialists project in Thailand at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang during summer 2007"It is a great honor to serve as a USU Fulbright Senior Specialist because being chosen as one indicates you are a respected teacher and researcher in your field of study," Reeve said. "Serving in another country, you have the opportunity to be a positive cultural ambassador for your university and your country." The selection was announced by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Reeve will help KMITL plan and organize an international conference on educational standards that will be held at KMITL. He will consult other universities about educational standards and their impact on educational reform. The Fulbright Program, America's flagship international educational exchange activity, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Recipients of Fulbright Scholar awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement. •Compiled from staff and media reports Contact USU Police at 797-1939 for non-emergencies. Anonymous reporting line: 797-5000 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911 Blotter totfimunity__ Friday, April 6, 2007 • USU police located an individual who was accused of reckless driving by another motorist. The individual was warned and no further action was taken. Saturday, April 7, 2007 • USU police responded to Aggie Village where a protective order violation occurred. The individual was arrested and transported to Cache County Jail on the following charges: violating a protective order, unlawful detention and forcible sexual abuse. Sunday, April 8, 2007 • A USU officer was dispatched to the area of Aggie Village to investigate a loud banging noise. • USU police responded to a students room at Richards Hall where her belongings had suspiciously been moved around. Police ensured there was no one in the apartment and documented the belongings that had been moved. • USU police observed a vehicle stopped on the hill of approximately US-89 and 900 East with its emergency lights on. The vehicle was found to be inoperable and police directed traffic until the vehicle could be moved. Monday, April 9, 2007 • USU police responded to Old Main Hill where it was reported two individuals had Airsoft guns and were attempting to shoot seagulls. Police made contact with the individuals and advised them they couldn't operate the Airsoft guns within Logan City limits. Tuesday, April 10, 2007 • USU police responded to Aggie Village for a report of a student needing a ride. The phone hung up before a location was obtained. Police drove through the area and no one was located that needed assistance. Wednesday, April 11, 2007 • USU police responded to a lewdness in progress at Old Main. Upon arrival it was discovered that the individual had left the area. The individual was eventually located and. was issued a citation for lewdness, a class B misdemeanor. Thursday, April 12, 2007 • USU police responded to a report of a theft at the Taggart Student Center. The complainant stated his skateboard was stolen from inside the Marketplace. USU police took the pertinent information and advised the complainant that the police would look out for his skateboard. • USU police received a report from Cache County Sheriffs Office of an individual who did not return from work release. Police are assisting the Sheriffs Office in locating the individual. • USU police received a phone call from a runner who stated there was a suspicious individual on the canal trail in Logan. Police contacted Logan Police and responded to the area. USU police assisted searching the area, the individual was not located. • USU police responded to Wasatch Hall where a scooter's alarm was continually going off and annoying residents. Police contacted the owner who resolved the problem. • A sum of cash was found in the economy parking lot at Aggie Village. Police took possession of it in the event that the owner comes looking for it. • Compiled by Di Lewis. |