Merced Sun-Star from Merced, California • 1

uJ June 13 1995 It's getting a little toasty here in the Valley High: 85-95 Low: 55-62 Weather page A6 I WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court endangered many affirmative-action pro- grams Monday as it curtailed in sweeping terms the federal gov- freedom to give special help to racial minorities Courts must hold Congress and the president to the same strict standards as state and local governments when determining whether affirmative- action programs result in reverse discrimination' The 5-4 ruling came in a Colorado case The application of the new stricter standard was not just limited to programs involving set-asides or quotas In announcing the decision the court appeared to be abandoning the central holdings in its last two major affirmative-action holdings both of which were victories for civil rights advocates Few government programs are found constitutional when the more rigorous "strict standard is applied A1) racial classifications are constitutional only if they are narrowly tailored measures that further compelling government Justice Sandra Day wrote for the court She said "all government action based on race should be subjected to detailed judicial inquiry to ensure that the personal right to equal protection of the law has not been The court however rejected the urgings of some that it outlaw all affirmative action as unconstitutional "reverse against whites Rebuilding strength 1 Castle museum looks to future By KEN CARLSON Staff Writer CASTLE AFB-The people who run the Castle Air Museum cant say it enough If you ha vent got the message yet read their lips The Castle museum is staying We are here We are not That was the word -again from Louisa Hart chief executive officer of the 600-member foundation been working with the 15-mem- her executive board to plan a long and meaningful future for the largest mili- taryair museum on the West Coast Some folks might have assumed that the museum founded in 1981 would wither away when Castle Air Force Base ceases to exist in September But rumors of the demise are largely exaggerated In fact some say the exhibits will get bigger and better had four years notice and so slowly but surely the foundation is ready to take our first baby steps in a manner of Hart said moving along very The foundation stretched a banner over busy Street to tell the public the museum is here to stay Not only will the vintage warplanes and indoor exhibits continue to dazzle visitors the gift shop and restaurant will stay put too The foundation is also doing marketing with Yosemite tour companies to make Castle Air Museum a regular stop for groups bqund for the national park via state highways 99 and 140- When the base doses the biggest blow will be loss orsupport from the Air Force Museum Program which owns the 43 aircraft on display The Air Force doesnt actually contribute funds but has paid the water electric gas and sewer bills It also has maintained the fburbuild-ings and the 20-acre grounds (See MUSEUM page A6) Only Justice Antonin Scalia voted to do away with all forms of race-based affirmative action The court even stopped short of striking down the federal affirmative-action program it had studied one that offers special help to minority-owned businesses in the highway construction industry (See COURT page A6) Capital salutes WASHINGTON (AP) lunch with his commander in chief no ants on the menu Air Force Capt Scott was treated to a welcome at the Pentagon on Monday President Clinton called him "a reminder of what is very best about our country" 1 OGradys fancy meal at the White House hosted by Clinton and attended by the fighter idiot's parents grandparents brother and sister was a far cry from his diet of insects and plants after being shot down in his F-16 over Bosnia on June 2 They feasted in private in the residence on grilled vegetable gazpacho and lump crab meat salad lamb chops with layered potatoes and mushrooms spring greens and asparagus followed by cherry sherbet and fresh fruits Surveying the spread cracked: understand Mr President if I don't eat the Clinton and top Pentagon brass paid tribute not only to courage and spirit but also to the skill and training of thosp who rescued him "Last week those of you who brought life to that training and saved one brave life said more about what We stand for as a country what our values are arid what our commitments are than any words the rest of us could ever utter" Clinton said As if on cue a driving rain and wind eased and the skies lightened just as OGrady in his blue Air Force uniform accompanied by Clinton Defense Secretary William Parry and Joint Chiefe Chairman Gen John Shalikashvili walked out of the Pentagon to an outdoor platform overlooking the Potomac here toddy to Celebrate true Pferiy said They shot down his plane but not his spirit Ferry recalled the jnonient in' the early morning hours of last Thursday in Bosnia when US commanders got the initial confirmation OGrady was alive and had beeti located They had choose whether to go right away in daylight dr wait until next -night and hope-he hot be captured first They chose to go in daylight "It wasa gutsy decision" Feiv ry said! "It turned out to be the OGrady thanked God and the men who rescued him The 29-yearold captain said he preferred to accept the fanfare of his welcoming "in honor of thosd men an women who deserved it more and didn't get such prisoners of war those in uniform who died in wartime and peacetime and United Nations peacekeepers Sun-Star photo by OragHuttunl i Barbara Nichols an occupational therapy aide left helps Wyatt Davenport with his therapy at Anberry Rehabilifa-lion Center as his wife Madeleine andliz Sakaldasis right an occupational therapy infern from the University of Southern California look on Monday: Cancer society honoree battles disease bravely By RANDYGROVES Staff Writer is waging his own war against cancer "lb tell the truth I didn't do very Davenport said A longtime friend and former Ambassador Camilla Foster asked him to participate "I told her not in any condition to do much and she told me worry about a thing You just put your name in the hat and well take care of the Of the six candidates for the annual honor which is determined solely by the ability to raise money for the organization Davenport supporters chipped in a whopping $24400 In all the annual fund-raiser collected $60339 "I got a lot of help from my friends and he said modestly Recovering at Anberry Rehabilitation Center from surgery to remove a brain tumor six weeks ago Davenport has lost neither his wit nor his friendly familiarity He got a special pass to attend the awards dinher and auction but tired and had to leave early His laughter is contagious as he swaps stories on any" number of subjects He remains upbeat despite the daily rigors of occupational and physical therapy to regain use of his right side which suffered from temporary paralysis following his (See DAVENPORT page A6) In six years of public office Wyatt Davenport made his mark on Merced County Sura there have been some bumps along the way but last week the road to the Ambassadorship of the American Cancer Society for 1995 was smooth sailing And while being named Ambassador of the Year has a certain allure to it for some for Davenport 63 an honor that hits dose to hrime The plain-spoken former chairman of the Merced County Board of Supervisors FidCile Fiver can-sett a course foir danger the Sierra and Cascade monn- tain ranges in California But what set the death of YOSEMITE Wildfloweri Ubelhart apart according to that have turned the banks of Sgt Matt Scharper of the Mari-vthe Merced ftiver a peaceful posa County Sheriffs Depart- shade of blue contradict the life-' ment was that he was a prafes- and-death struggle that went- atonal rafting guide certified in on ita the unforgiving whiteWa- his knowledge of fhe extremes 1 ter on Memorial Day ofriver behavior Jeffrey Ubelhart 36 of course never know WiUits lost that fettle pith the for sure exactly what happened' roiling rapids about four miles after the raft pipped hut I dowfistream from where the think that he may have Merced River froths down a jdrowned as hebecame exhaust-waterslide of huge boulders at ed in the currents in the middle OTCHT Business irrAi: C6 Classified Dl-3 Crossword V' C4 Entertainment C5 Healthier Living Lottery A6 ohituanes Opinion B4 1 Public Notices EM Bl-3 Weather A6a' Call Us: (209) 722-1511 Circulation '384-2224 -Classified Adv 71 7 383-7777 Sports 385-2458 Editorialrrr 384-3881 VS -tv -25 Mariposa County SgL the Merced Riyer iwiUmwiootaini Matt Scharper points out a near El Poital the Yosemita boundary At least thskother rafters have died this spring in the pmofTfrom snowfall that was shout 200 percent of average across significant portions of of the Scharper suggested Three young men also professional river guides struggled to safety later telling inWstigatcrs vfSeeRiyERrpageAS): y- i.