Opinion -- 2 Meet§ as digs past Miners, win 47-44 Serving San Jose State University Since 1934 Volume III. No. 7 SJSU alumnus dies on Flight 261 Erin Mayes journalism from San very small, he was very aware of my pres- Francisco to Alaska and from Boston to at SJSU. DAILY STAFF WRITER Jose State University in ence," Rose said. She said Renato would Oregon. Rose developed cancer in 1993 and her the late 1980s. He was always be peeking out the window when Many times he would meet people on husband died while she was ill. Renato Renato Bermudez lived his life the way also a member of the she came home from work and would jump his trips and bring them back with him. was concerned about her living alone and many people only wish they could. judo team. up and down in delight when she walked Rose said she always let them stay in her decided to move back in with her. He pursued every dream he ever had, Born on Jan. 7, 1961 in the door. home. "He told me, 'You are alone and I don't from biking through Alaska to fighting in San Francisco, Renato Renato attended catholic elementary "I welcomed all these people that my want to leave you," Rose said. fires. He left behind dozens of heartbroken was a happy baby, so and high schools and was always very ath- son met because I wanted to return the Describing how she and Renato went friends and family members when he and happy that his mother, letic. kindness they had shown my son," Rose shopping for furniture together, she said 87 others aboard Alaska Airlines Flight Rose Bermudez, some- "He crossed the U.S. by bike, from said. "He was a wonderful friend, a loyal he had very simple tastes and felt any- 261 were killed when the plane plunged times worried that her Oregon to New Jersey," Rose said. "He friend. He was such a nice person." thing fancy would be unnecessary. Bermudez, 39, graduated with a degree son didn't cry enough. would ride from the house to the beach." Renato had a black belt in karate and Bermudez in environmental science and a minor in "Even when he was He also rode his bike from San went on to earn a brown belt in judo while See Bermudez, page 6 A.S. election Dr al/ dates set outth& Donna Carmichael DAILY SENIOR STAFF WRITER The date has been set for Associated Students' election for the academic year 2000-2001. Voting is slated to take place ,kkteur on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, putting the election right before spring break. Michelle Johnson, a sopho- more, said holding elections so close to spring break has a nega- tive effect on voter turnout. "Students are busy with mid- terms and preoccupied with spring break," Johnson said. "We are not thinking about student toftv' government that week. They should hold the election after spring break for more participa- tion." But A.S. President Leo Davila recommended the dates to his board of directors after Heather Santa Clara Cook, an A.S. Election Board offi- cer, presented him with the choic- es at the last A.S. Board of County's Directors meeting. Davila said the week of March 12 the other choice was out of the question. Tet festival "The California State University Trustees are meeting are host- celebrated here that week and we l'honn by Rik,, Manabe / Spartan Daily ing the California State Student Association that weekend," he Monica L. Ewing Above, Ngockhanh Phan takes a good look at his dress at the Tet Festival Saturday said. DAILY STAFF WRITER at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Right, Huy Phan carries a dragon head and The CSU Board of Trustees dances during the grand opening ceremony at the Ted Festival Saturday. Phan is one meet at San Jose State will Trini Bui, a businesswoman from of 20 San Jose Dragon Dance members. University, March 14 to 15 and Hawaii, decided to stop by Santa A.S. will host the CSSA Friday, Clara County's Tet Festival before March 10 through Sunday, March flying home, and she was glad she did. Festival and its 16th held at the fair- calls forth the spirit of Vietnam to the Tet 12 promising a busy schedule "I am very impressed, it (the festival) grounds. It has rained during each of the Fest ival. for the A.S. Board. was very well-prepared," Bui said with a last three years on the festivities, accord- NI uch of the early celebrations on New A.S. campaigning should start beaming smile. "This is one of the biggest ing to Minh Nguyen, a San Jose State Year's Day centered around cultural tra- the week of March 5, said Megan communities of Vietnamese in the coun- University alumnus who said he attends ditions. including the fan dance and the Anderson of the Election Board. try right here in San Jose." the festival almost i'very year. draon and lion dance, while banners "The candidates will have a The Tet Festival is the most important "It always U1111:, in the Year of the behind the stage declared "Human Rights longer shot at getting their mes- Vietnamese holiday. It celebrates the Dragon," sad Itavid Thomas. a contribu- and Freedom for Vietnam" and "Liberate sage out this year," Anderson said Lunar New Year. This year is of even tor to the rest tv.il wilt, is conversant in Horne Country." at the A.S. meeting. greater significance because of the conflu- Vietnamese t nada ions. Om. of the dance groups, Wings of 100 Voter turnout statistics have ence of three important dates: the Year of The two most tierce mythical creatures Viet. danced :end portrayed the folktales been dismal at SJSU in past the Dragon, the 25th anniversary of the in Vietnamese !Adore are the tiger and and history of Vietnam. years and are steadily on the fall of Saigon and the year 2000. the dragon, according to Thomas. The tiger Than Nguyen. a senior finance major decline, according to university The rain which fell all day Saturday is the king of the land and the dragon is at San Jose State I 'mversity, is a lead records showing the past 10 A.S. did not seem to keep the crowds of revel- king of the air and the water. Along with dancer in many of the group's numbers. elections. ers away from the festivities or dampen rain, the dragon brings luck and prosperi- Nguyen injured her ankle before going on Last year, a mere 1,185 regis- the spirit of this year's Tet Festival held ty, according to Vietnamese beliefs. stage, but still performed beautifully. tered students about 4.5 per- at the Santa Clara County fairgrounds. Saturday's events were kicked off by She said the group is made up of high cent of the student body "The weather is not so perfect, but the lighting of the torch, which burned school and college students who volun- turned out to vote, from an esti- people an. still coming," said Michael continuously throughout the three days teer to perform for free at various com- mated enrollment of 25,000. That Nguyen, operator of one of the food vend- of the festival, and by drum playing and munity events. was down almost 600 votes from ing booths at the festival. ringing of a large bell. The lighting of the- academic year and the 1996-1997 This is the county's 18th annual Tet torch symbolizes freedom and the drum Mt, page 4 down a whopping 1,800 votes See from the 1984-1985 election when 12.62 percent of the student body of 24,191 turned out. Orrin Hatch John McCain Tom Campbell Claire Hargreaves, Chief III:ill-R. Senator 11.5. Presidential Candidate U.S. Senatorial Candidate Election Officer for A.S., said she and her board want to see a good "McCain's cam- turnout this year. paign reform would 'There will be no "Dianne Feinstein, if "We intend to really get the The take real interest you're listening, give food-stamp economy away from the back the PAC." See A.S., page 4 political process." when I'm president." A.S. Elections ti I) I I ,1 Ii I' .1 y 2000 Spring C 0 11 V ' ii 1 0 11 Quick Hits Donna Carmichael Golden State Woodstock for the Donnelly of Orange ('mint y, who recent defeat in New Hampshire Voting Times: DAILY SE\ STAFF WRITER GOP was missing one of its still hadn't decided which presi- and his poor showing in polls for Race lead acts. dential candidate to throw her the upcoming primary in South Wednesday iii, ch 22 Thursdoy Mat h 23 BURLINGAME Republican George W. Bush, governor of support behind. Carolina. which was until now party faithful from almost every Texas and GOP presidential "He's (George W. Bush) done considered a Bush stronghold. Number of votes last year. nook and cranny of California hopeful, fresh from a resounding this to us before. He should have Bush's recent performance 1 185 I 4.5 pet cent converged on the Hyatt Hotel in defeat in New Hampshire's pri- been here (in California l," she has left some supporters wonder- of the student body Burlingame over the weekend in mary, was missing from the line- said, shaking her head. ing if backing Bush was a poor Stipends per month a show of support for their can- up.