Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 1997)
February 5, 1997 Committed to cultural diversity. Volume X X V II. Number 6 February is Bridging Heaven and Earth Black History M onth "Eire on the Mountain” plays at Winningstad Theatre at the Portland Center fo r the performing arts See inside, page B4. <L lie | J n r t (¿tu b See Metro, page li I. M rs r Jurors Legislature’s has dramatic break for lack History Month 70 dead in Israeli crash Israel Radio says at least 70 people were killed in the mid-air crash of two Israeli army helicopters during a storm in northern Israel Tuesday. The casualty figure came from a com m ander quoted by the radio. W itnesses said rescue workers evacuated dozens of bodies on stretchers after the crash. Army mired in sex scandal As the U.S. Army was hit by fresh charges of sexual abuse, a Senate panel heard testimony concerning the extent of the allegations. Army C hief of Staff Gen. Dennis Reimer says the Army is investi gating 1,074 allegations of sexual harass ment including rape, prompting several senators to challenge the training of fe male recruits with men under male ser geants. They said the practice amounts to holding a match near a powder keg. As senators heard testimony on the abuse allegations, the Army was hit by fresh charges. Aberdeen Proving Ground offi cials announced charges against a sev enth soldier, these involving rape and sodomy. Clinton polishes State of Union President Clinton is putting the finish ing touches on the State o f the Union address he'll deliver tonight. The presi dent is expected to outline plans to main tain peace and prosperity. A spokesman says education is likely to be a centerpiece and that Clinton also will propose new initiatives to expand health care coverage for millions o f children, fight juvenile crime and rid U.S. schools of illicit drugs. Clinton also plans to use the speech to talk about carrying out the new welfare law that ends a 61-year guarantee of federal aid to the poor. Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts is scheduled to deliver the Republican response to C linton’s address. US Mulls Strike on Iraq The United States said Tuesday there was no reason for heightened concern about military action in the Persian G ulf after a German newspaper reported that America might launch a cruise missile strike on Iraq. The newspaper Frank furter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported U N. inspectors had found that Iraq has continued to develop missiles despite U N . resolutions and that the United States was studying a possible missile strike against Iraq. Skater Escapes Prosecution A Connecticut judge is permitting Olympic skating champion Oksana Baiul to enroll in an alcohol education pro gram, effectively granting her request to avoid p rosecution on drunk driving charges. Baiul, 19, was also fined $90 plus costs on a separate charge of driving too fast for conditions. In addition, her lawyer says she will perform 25 hours of public service as part of the program. EDITORIAL..................... A2 VANCOUVER..................A3 FAMILY............................A5 HOUSING....................... A6 EDUCATION................... A7 METRO............................B I ARTS & ENT...................B2 BLACK HISTORY...........B4 CLASSIFIEDS................ B5 by Neil Heilpern Black History Month at the slate capitol will include an array of African art, student achievement recognitions and visits from African-American ministers. Staff members of Rep Margaret Carter (D-Portland) were busy this week gathering striking wooden sculptures and other A fri can art forms from various legislators, lob byists and interested citizens. The art display will be exhibited in front of both House and Senate chambers through out February. Various ministers from the community have been invited to give the invocation at the beginning of a House floor session, fol lowed by a talk, "a moment in black history to increase awareness,” according to one staff member. Rev. Alice Faye W arren, cnapiain at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital, kicked off the ministerial schedule Monday. Other minis ters scheduled to appear in the House are Allen Bethel (February 6), Reverend Jointer (February 10), Bishop A. A. Wells (February 12), Reverend Greenidge (February 19), Reverend McCullough (February 2 1), Bishop Grace (February 24) and Reverend Bailey (February 26), On February 21 members of the Portland legislative delegation will recognize 50 out standing African American students from the Portland public schools. The youngsters will be seated in the upper galleries and introduced at the beginning of that day’s session. The students will actually receive their awards February 27 at the Black History Month Youth Celebration to be held at Doris' Cafe, 352 NE Russell, Portland. They will be honored for both academic achievement and community involvement. A member of the Oregon Trail Blazer basketball team, not yet selected, is expected to be featured speaker at the event. readings urors in the O.J. Simpson civil case broke off deliberations Tuesday to listen to read ings of testimony about Simpson's alibi, a bruising fight with his ex-wife and a limousine driver's oft-repeated time line. It was the third day of deliberations for the six man, six-w om an jury, which started deliberations anew after a juror was dismissed Friday. The group asked to hear testimony about opportunity and motive in the June 12, 1994. slayings o f N icole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Simpson, in four days on the stand, maintained he was in bed, showering, chipping golf balls and taking his dog for a walk around the lime ol the slayings. Plaintiffs contend the killings took place between 10:35 p.m. and 10:45 p in Simpson told jurors he took responsi bility for the bruises Ms. Simpson re ceived during a Jan. 1, 1989, fight be tween the two, but he swore he didn’t hit, strike, slap, kick or beat her. He sug gested she might have fallen down out side after he put her out of his room. They asked for only the plaintiffs' ques tioning of Simpson, limousine driver Allan Park and Simpson pal Al "A .C ." Cowlings. Cowlings testified reluctantly that he took Ms. Simpson to the hospital because he was afraid she had a concussion. When the judge asked if the jury would like to hear cross-examination as well, the foreman, a white-haired graphic art ist, conferred with two women jurors and said: "Just the direct." Rep. Margaret Carter sings National Anthem to open 1997 Oregon Legislature in Salem, January 13, 1997. ▼ Continued to page A3 "When We Were Kings” album released O n F eb ru a ry 1 1 t h M e rc u ry Records will release one of the most important and intriguing albums of 1 9 9 7 . The film When We Were Kings has been in the works for over 20 years, and its soundtrack reflects the intensity and passion of the original "Rumble In The Jungle," and displays the influence it had on the genera tion that followed. Producer David Sonenberg has unearthed live concert recordings from the 1974 concert in Zaire; an event that chronicled the "Rumble In the Jungle," when a 32-year-old Muhammad Ali took on Heavy weight Champion George Foreman These vintage cuts from B B King, the Jazz C ru saders, James Brown, Bill Withers and The Spinners are accompanied by new tracks from The Fugees (in a legendary collabora tion with A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes and Forte), as well as the title track from the film, sung by Brian McKnight and Diana King. When We Were Kings opens in theatres February 14 and has already won New York and Los Angeles Critics Awards for Best Documentary, a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, and has been named in the 10 Best films of the year by Rolling Stone and USA Today. Lauryn Hill of The Fugees on "When We Were Kings: “I was inspired when Ali went to Africa. The things he was saying and the places he was going made me feel proud to be African. It encouraged me and made me want to go over and bring something back Left: Muhammad Ah after a rigorous workout preparing him for the ‘ 74 Rumble in the Jungle' match against George Foreman in the Leon Gast film When We Were Kings, a Gramercy Pictures release. Right: Muhammad Ah greets a local baby as he drives past throngs of admirers in Zaire in the Leon Gast film When We for the youth " Were Kings, a Gramercy Pictures release. Photos by: Howard L. Bingham When We Were Kings.... It was a wild time alright. The Belgian Congo was now called The Republic Of Zaire and 22 million citizens of this African nation were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Muhammad All. All was scheduled to fight the heavyweight Champ. George Fore man Mobutu SeSe Seko, the President of Zaire, had come up with $ 10 million to bring » the fighters to the new Kinshasa Stadium which had seating for over 12(),(X)() people. O f course Don King was there, this probably being his finest hour Not only had he suc ceeded in hustling up the money for the fight but he was also staging a musical extrava ganza billed as the African Woodstock. James Brown, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, BB King. The Spinners. Bill Withers, Ceilia Cruz. Miriam Makeba and 20 African art ists were on hand and the pulse rate of this African nation was racing You could liter ally feel the beat when you lay yout head down at night Amidst all the excitement, the superstars and the hype one couldn't help but notice the special grace of Muhammad Ali, Although he was an overwhelming underdog and com mon sense would not permit a bet on the former champion, there was still a twinkle in his eye and a spirit in his step that pul hope in the hearts of those who believed in miracles This is the story of When We Were Kings.