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Tuesday, May 31, 2011 – Daily News 7A DAY Continued from page 1A killing 184 people at the sprawling Defense Department headquarters. ‘‘Reliving the event is not something that I look forward to, but I don’t think it should be some- thing that’s not brought up to the public,’’ said McMichael, who attended the parade in Washington. ‘‘I don’t think people should forget about what occurred.’’ President Barack Obama participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. ‘‘Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay, but we can honor their sacrifice,’’ Obama said at a Memorial Day service at the cemetery. ‘‘And we must.’’ Meanwhile, U.S. troops VETS Continued from page 1A his only reply is to say that is not a polite question to ask a veteran. He then went on to address what it was like over there, asking people to hold their hand up, stiff at the wrist but completely relaxed — the position his hand was in for years hold- ing an M4 riffle. “I was poised, ready to kill, faster than any civilian could possibly imagine,” Anderson’s speech contin- ued. “In Afghanistan and Iraq, there is no front line, no rear echelon. No break. You have to be relentless.” A soldier constantly scans every window, car and dark pair of foreign eyes, he said. “You’re perpetually moving to avoid sniper fire while on foot or ducking and diving in the boiling turret of a gun truck,” Anderson’s speech contin- ued. “Horrific violence, real violence, not the glamorous entertaining type you eat popcorn to, but vicious and sickening, can explode in your face at any second. And it does.” The reality of war is real, raw and unfiltered, oozing into a person’s senses and soul, Anderson said. Memorial Day is to remember the brave Ameri- cans that died while in mil- itary service and veterans should not let the efforts of those who sacrificed their lives go to waste. “Leave the scars and horrors of the battlefield behind you and embrace your life, here and now, in honor of those who can’t,” Anderson’s speech con- cluded. “I would only ask that instead of focusing on the macabre and violent aspects of war think of the reasons we went to war.” Lt. Bob Kelley, a World War II veteran who was forced to bail out of his B- 17 bomber on his second mission over Europe after the number three and four engines failed and the plane was attacked by two Ger- man fighter planes was the speaker at Corning’s cere- mony. Even as he descended in his parachute, another Ger- man fighter plane came toward him with guns blaz- ing, but Kelley’s response was to shake his fist at the German pilot from his bul- let riddled parachute. In Red Bluff, Jack Ben- nett of the American Legion Post 167 and VFW Post 1932 served as Master of Ceremonies. Bennett also read from the speech by Sgt. Daniel Anderson. Tehama County Superi- or Court Judge John Gar- aventa was the speaker and he chose to speak of the Vietnam area, quoting Pres- ident John F. Kennedy’s pledge to pay any price and bear any burden to ensure the success of freedom. “By the end on Aug. 15, 1975 there were 58,169 US servicemen killed, but there were also other unrecog- nized deaths,” Garaventa fighting in Afghanistan paused for Memorial Day services, with some pray- ing and holding flag-rais- ing ceremonies to recog- nize the more than 1,400 who have been killed in combat there since the war began a decade ago. Obama plans to draw down U.S. troops in Afghanistan beginning in July, while NATO has committed to handing over control of security in the country to Afghans by 2014. For now, though, the war continues. ‘‘We reflect on those who have gone before us. We reflect on their service and their sacrifice on behalf of our great nation,’’ said Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, who commands a Marine divi- sion in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province. ‘‘We should also remember those serving today who embody that same commitment of ser- vice and sacrifice.’’ said. Those unrecognized deaths included those affected by agent orange, which caused many debili- tating diseases such as Parkinsons, heart disease, diabetes and cancer to name a few, Garaventa said. It also included those who committed suicide due to things like post traumatic stress. “There were 760 prison- ers of war,” Garaventa said. “The treatment the prison- ers of war received was deplorable.” Garaventa also spoke of how in a time of more and more freedoms being asked for the soldiers, unlike those returning today from Afghanistan and Iraq, did not receive the heroes wel- come of previous genera- tions. “More and more free- doms were demanded, but freedom has its price,” Gar- aventa said. “Soldiers returned to a time where hope turned to distrust and war was increasingly unpopular. There were no parades and little recogni- tion for the sacrifices of those who returned home to accusations of being called baby killers and being spit on. This was an inexcusable national blemish.” eases Vietnam veterans had were caused by their expo- sure to agent orange during the war, many of them had to fight for compensation, he said. “It is important that we as citizens recognize those who fought,” Garaventa said. “Those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who are still with us deserve our undying grati- tude.” Ron Gallagher of Los Molinos, who attended the Corning ceremony, is a Vietnam veteran who spent 22 years in the Navy and reserves. He was a part of a unit that tested the battle readiness of other units, he said. “I think it’s very impor- tant we have these cere- monies,” Gallagher said. “They (veterans) should always be remembered, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. They gave up all their tomorrows for our todays and they were very instrumental in maintaining our freedom.” Barbara Eller of Corning comes every year because it’s important to remember the sacrifices of those who have served, she said. Claudia Threlkeld of Red Bluff does not endorse war, but still feels its impor- tant to honor veterans, she said. Her father, step-dad and husband have all served in the military. “I’m not a believer of and don’t endorse war, but I appreciate the freedoms we have in America and I honor those who have served to defend them,” Threlkeld said. ——— Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, exten- sion 115 or jzeeb@red- bluffdailynews.com. State business lobby’s influence will be tested SACRAMENTO (AP) — A Cali- fornia business group’s perennial list of bills it dubs ‘‘job killers’’ used to be a signal for legislation that was unlikely to survive former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s veto pen, but the package of legislation promoted by Democrats could fare better under the new administration of Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat. The California Chamber of Com- merce rolled out its so-called ‘‘job killers list’’ last week ahead of the final week for the state Senate and Assem- bly to pass their own bills before send- ing them to the other house. This year’s roster names 28 pro- posed laws the chamber says would hurt the state’s economy as it emerges from recession. All are sponsored by Democrats, as has been the case almost exclusively with the hundreds of bills to which the chamber has given its stamp of disapproval over the years. Many of the 28 bills, which have until Friday to make it out of their house of origin, promote environmen- tal regulation and union-aligned inter- ests — agendas that the business group says come at the expense of employers. A bill in the Senate, for instance, would stop restaurants from packing to-go food in foam containers. Anoth- er in the Assembly mandates the state Air Resources Board and Energy Commission to adopt policies that would cut the use of traditional fuels in favor of alternative and renewable sources. Another proposal, SB535, sets aside 10 percent of all money generat- ed from the state’s cap-and-trade pro- gram to go to poor communities most hurt by climate change. It would dedi- cate a fund for creating green jobs, addressing the health repercussions of pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Sen. Kevin de Lesn, D-Los Ange- les, reintroduced the bill this year after his previous attempts were dashed by Schwarzenegger, who vetoed the orig- inal bill in 2010. ‘‘I’m feeling very confident,’’ de Lesn said. ‘‘We have a new governor, we have a new horizon.’’ The prospect of a fellow Democrat wielding the governor’s pen has breathed new life into some of the Democratic legislation Schwarzeneg- ger previously rejected. If party affiliation were the only indicator, Brown would sign most of the bills from the chamber’s list that make it to his desk, but Brown indicat- SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — If the San Francisco sheriff’s plan becomes reali- ty, illegal immigrants arrest- ed for petty crimes won’t be held in jail longer than nec- essary, even if federal immi- gration agents may want them detained for possible deportation. Instead, starting Wednes- day, deputies will treat those eligible for release just like U.S. citizens: They will be cited to appear in court. City officials, however, aren’t so sure about Sheriff Mike Hennessey’s plan. The new policy is his attempt to comply with a city law that prevents police from aiding federal authori- ties in non-felony crimes and a U.S. law that requires authorities to share finger- prints with immigration agents. ‘‘I’m in a position where I’m trying to enforce a local law as well as not violate the federal law and this is the ‘in-between,’’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a difficult area to tread on because emotions run very high here in California and throughout the country on immigration issues.’’ Under Hennessey’s poli- cy, illegal immigrants who commit misdemeanors, such as disorderly conduct, trespassing or shoplifting, will not be held while the U.S. Immigration and Cus- toms Enforcement (ICE) checks their status through a fingerprinting monitoring program. Hennessey said the change is meant to coincide with the city’s ‘‘Sanctuary City’’ law, which aims to provide refuge for illegal immigrants. Mayor Ed Lee’s office did not receive advance notice of the policy change, said Christine Falvey, Lee’s press secretary, in a pre- ed in his campaign for governor and since taking office in January that he will buck some Democratic interests and weigh legislation on its merits. Former Gov. Gray Davis, a Democ- rat, approved 32 out of 44 bills sent to him that the business group deemed ‘‘job killers.’’ The rate is much higher than that of Schwarzenegger and for- mer Gov. Pete Wilson, both Republi- cans, who signed six out of 69 and zero out of 20 of the bills on the list, respec- tively. Brown so far has not hued strictly to the party line. His budget proposals have opted to cut spending and shrink government and he has garnered some support for his plans from the business community. The chamber has not endorsed Brown’s specific budget pro- posal, but has signaled support for many of his ideas, including extensions of temporary increases in the vehicle, sales and income taxes for as long as five years if they are coupled with reg- ulatory reforms. ‘‘Governor Brown will evaluate each bill independently and will base his judgment on whether he believes it’s good for the state,’’ spokesman Gil Duran said. That’s exactly the approach cham- ber officials are hoping for. ‘‘I wouldn’t bootstrap anything that any other governor has done, to this governor,’’ said chamber President and Chief Executive Allan Zaremberg. ‘‘Brown will get greater pressure from his colleagues from the same party, but I still think this governor will make his own determination.’’ Moreover, he said the chamber cares not just about who is in the gov- ernor’s seat, but also the extent to which it can dissuade lawmakers from passing bills on the list. Out of 504 proposed laws the busi- ness lobby has blacklisted since 1997, just 133 have made it out of both hous- es of the state Legislature. The chamber says many of those bills hurt job growth by placing further demands and restrictions on compa- nies. Among the other measures the Assembly is expected to take up this week is a bill that would prevent employers from conducting credit checks on applicants. A handful of other bills would make it easier for workers to take time off for medical, family or bereavement leave. Here are some other bills from the list that are heading to the Legislature’s floors this final week: pared statement. ‘‘We have reached out to federal authorities to deter- mine if this new policy con- tradicts federal law,’’ Falvey said. ‘‘We are awaiting clar- ification.’’ The sheriff’s new policy comes as the California Assembly on Thursday approved a bill to revise the state’s agreement on using the federal Secure Commu- nities program. The mea- sure, which would allow counties to opt out, now moves to the state Senate. San Francisco and near- by Santa Clara county have sought permission from the federal government to opt out of Secure Communities. Hennessey said his poli- cy is similar to San Miguel and Taos counties in New Mexico. He said San Fran- cisco’s policy will protect public safety because immi- grants would be more will- ing to report crimes if they didn’t fear arrest and possi- ble deportation. ICE Spokeswoman Vir- ginia Kice said Hennessey’s decision is ‘‘unfortunate.’’ In San Francisco County, ICE has taken custody of 731 deportable immigrants since Secure Communities began in June 2010, Kice said. Nearly 40 percent had prior criminal convictions for felonies or multiple mis- demeanors, she added. Angela Chan, an attor- ney with the Asian Law Caucus and a San Francisco Police Commission mem- ber, said 68 percent of the people deported under the Secure Communities pro- gram in California did not commit serious crimes. ‘‘That puts a lot of people at risk,’’ Chan said. ‘‘That’s why there’s such uproar over this program.’’ Hennessey said he learned that keeping immi- — Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Con- cord, thinks the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Appeals has not been living up to its purpose. His bill, SB829, outlines several reforms he says would make the appeals board fairer to employees. It would increase the list of people, such as family mem- bers and unions, who can assist work- ers in filing complaints and appeals. The legislation also would require employers to address workplace haz- ards even as the appeals board is con- sidering them. — SB129 by Sen. Mark Leno, D- San Francisco, would bar employers from discriminating against medical marijuana patients during hiring, firing and nearly everything in between. Bosses could still punish those who let the drug hinder their work, but employ- ees would be able to sue for marijuana- related discrimination. The chamber says it would endanger workplace safety. — Health insurance companies would need permission from the state Department of Managed Health Care or Department of Insurance to raise rates under AB52 by Assemblyman Mike Feuer. Companies would be required to explain, in applications available online to the public, factors such as medical expenses, salaries, bonuses and reserves. The Los Ange- les Democrat’s bill prohibits rate hikes that are ‘‘excessive, inadequate, or dis- criminatory.’’ — AB350 by Democratic Assem- blyman Jose Solorio of Santa Ana would extend a law that requires new companies that take over building and property service contracts to keep jani- tors from previous contracts for a 60- day period to 90 days. Solorio’s bill would also extend the employment protection to security, landscape, cafe- teria and other workers. — A pair of bills in the Assembly would expand workers’ compensation. Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D- Berkeley, introduced AB375 to let hos- pital employees collect benefits if they acquire certain diseases, infections and chiropractic complications on the job. Legislation by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, would prohibit discrimination based on supposed risk factors, such as age, race or gender. In explaining AB1155, Alejo cited the case of a black man who developed hypertension from exposure to toxins on the job but could not get redress because a doctor said his race increased his risk of hypertension. Despite many of the dis- SF sheriff wants to use new immigration policy grants with ICE detainers behind bars is a courtesy and not mandatory after meeting with Secure Com- munities director David Venturella late last year. Hennessey’s move is drawing some sharp criti- cism. ‘‘The borders will never be secure as long as places like San Francisco lay out the welcome mat,’’ said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, a Washing- ton, D.C.-based legal advo- cacy group that is suing the city over similar immigra- tion issues. ‘‘These policies put ille- gal immigrants above the law,’’ Fitton said. Fitton cited a 2008 inci- dent in San Francisco where three members of a family were shot to death by a gang member who was an illegal immigrant and had been released from custody as a juvenile. ‘‘I can guarantee you people will die by this deci- sion,’’ Fitton said. Addressing the Assem- bly before its vote last week, San Francisco Assembly- man Tom Ammiano said immigration officials were well aware of the gang member’s status. ‘‘In fact, that assailant was reported to ICE, and you know what happened? ICE did not act on that com- plaint. That’s what hap- pened. Because they were probably out busting a crossing guard, or arresting a mother on her way to work at a hotel,’’ Ammiano said. Secure Communities began in 2008 as an initia- tive to identify and deport illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes as local authorities share their fingerprints with the Depart- ment of Homeland Security. The program operates in over 1,300 jurisdictions in 42 states. ICE has since removed more than 77,000 criminal aliens including more than 28,000 offenders with prior convictions for serious or violent offenses, such as murder, rape and child sexual abuse, Kice said. And the program will be mandatory for every state and county by 2013, Home- land Security secretary Janet Napolitano recently said. However, several other states including Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington have complained that Secure Communities does- n’t just deport convicted felons. Crime victims and witnesses could be swept up, too. Earlier this month, Illi- nois Gov. Pat Quinn announced that the state intends to withdraw from the program, calling it ‘‘flawed.’’ Red Bluff Simple Cremations & Burial Service Family owned & Operated Honor and Dignity 527-1732 722 Oak Street, Red Bluff, FD Lic. 1931