Briefs

04/02/2003

From Wire Reports

Panel passes minute of silence for Texas schools

AUSTIN – Legislation that would require public school students to observe a minute of silence and recite the pledges of allegiance to the American and Texas flags each school day was approved Tuesday by the House Public Education Committee. The measure by Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, would require students to stand during the minute of silence but allow each to "reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student." By written request from a parent, the child could be excused from reciting the pledges of allegiance. The bill must next clear the House Calendars Committee before going to Senate action.

Army base crater may contain Columbia debris

PICKERING, La. – A crater found on a Louisiana Army base may contain a large chunk of space shuttle Columbia, possibly an engine. NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries said workers probed two craters at Fort Polk and would begin digging Wednesday. NASA suspects Columbia debris is in one of the craters but won't be sure until they can be dug up, he said. No details about the size of the craters or their contents were available, though the Alexandria Town Talk reported Tuesday that one of Columbia's engines was found and pulled out of a crater on the base. Four craters were found in an area of the base used for small-arms training, the paper reported. If the debris is part of Columbia, the location would be among the farthest east where shuttle debris has been found. The shuttle broke up over North Texas on Feb. 1, killing all seven astronauts and sending debris across Texas and western Louisiana.

Divorce request of men in civil union dismissed

HOUSTON – A state district judge in Beaumont has dismissed a divorce request filed by two men who obtained a civil union in Vermont last year and were attempting to have their union dissolved in Texas. State District Judge Tom Mulvaney dismissed the divorce filing late Monday after Russell Smith requested his petition for dissolution be discharged. In March, Judge Mulvaney had granted Mr. Smith, 36, and John Anthony, 34, a divorce decree, but Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott later said the court could not grant a divorce where no marriage existed. Judge Mulvaney set aside his order granting the divorce decree last Friday and ordered a new hearing to settle the matters before the court. Under Vermont law, a civil union is legal between two members of the same sex, but a full-fledged marriage must be between a woman and a man. Texas does not recognize same-sex unions. Mr. Smith has said getting the union dissolved in Vermont would require Mr. Smith or Mr. Anthony to live in that state for at least a year before a final divorce hearing.