The Facts from Clute, Texas • Page 9

THE FACTS Monday, November 22,1999 9A Victims Continued from Page 1A victims' relatives. He said he had not been to the accident site but planned to visit oh Thanksgiving. Also on Sunday, 19-year-old Jamie Hand, an environmental design major and artist who sang at her church, was buried near her home in Henderson. A busload of Aggies attended the funeral, several of whom gathered in front of her casket to sing the "Aggie War Hymn." "If Henderson was a magical kingdom, Jamie Lynn Hand was without a doubt its princess," Rev. Ron Barney told about 1,500 mourners.

And in Austin, services were held for Christopher Breen, 25, an graduate who had returned to help pass on the bonfire traditions. Breen's family kept the ceremony private, but in a statement recalled his love of the outdoors and thanked those who offered love and support. "He loved people, and we thank all of his friends for letting us know how much he meant to you," the statement read in part. "Sharing your memories broadens our knowledge of Chris and the many facets of his character." In Katy, near Houston, a funeral was held for Christopher Lee Heard, 19, a pre-engineering major and a 1999 graduate of the Marine Military Academy, a private military prep school in Harlingen. Almost 100 young men in uniform from the academy or the Corps of Cadets attended the service.

Jason Heard said his brother had decided the week before was killed to enlist in the Marines and be in the reserves because he couldn't wait until after graduation. Heard's drill instructor recalled the student as kind of a prankster who would fill your boots with shaving cream and smear creamy peanut butter on your telephone. Others remembered his love of hunting and fishing. His parents, Les and Andrea Heard, said they still feel their son's presence because they have seen a lone goose on their morning walks the past two days and it isn't crying like it's lost. They also spoke of being "unequivocally in favor of continuing the Aggie bonfire tradition." Meanwhile, six people remained hospitalized Sunday, two in critical condition.

Lannie Hayes of Monahans was released Sunday. Officials have said about 70 people were stacking the 40r foot pyramid of lo.gs for the annual football game bonfire when the pile gave way early Thursday. Some students were hurled from the structure; others were trapped in the shifting logs. At another morning worship service, Dwight Edwards, senior pastor of Grace Bible Church, tried to provide an explanation to people who helped construct the huge bonfire a venerated tradition on the campus for 90 years and may be wondering why they escaped harm. "The reason you are here this morning is not luck," he said.

He (God) has something for you to do. God is not through using you for his purpose." At the end of the service, which was filled with songs of praise, several students and other churchgoers took up an offer to pray and made their way to the altar where they comforted one another. At First Baptist Church in Bryan, about 50 students knelt around the altar and prayed during a moment of silence. At least eight of the students killed in the accident attended the church in the last month, said minister Tim Owens. When Owens invited people to speak on what they were thankful for in the pre- Thanksgiving service, one man said, "Thank you for giving me and my fellow co-workers the ability to rescue some of the Aggies from the bonfire." WILL PAY YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT Natural! Guaranteed! Dr.

Recommended! CALL: 1-888-877-1142 on' yon can have tin: liair you 're alwars circamca ojl Structure Strength" and Bliss" give hair I optimum strength, moisture and incomparable hair quality. NIOXIN Tkc Si 1 mt Hair 211A Plantation Lake Jackson Facts photo: Natalee Hall A Texas flag flies at half mast at the site of the Angleton Aggie Club bonfire on FM 521 in Angieton Friday. The bonfire has been canceled due to the tragedy at Texas in College Station Thursday where 12 students were killed when their bonfire collapsed. Bush Continued from Page 1A reform and other topics during his hourlong interview on NBC's "Meet the Press." Eager to project his fitness for the Oval Office, Bush seemed confident and prepared for the questions. It was in marked contrast to his performance Nov.

4 during a pop quiz on foreign affairs given by a political reporter at a Boston television station. Bush looked flustered when asked to name the leaders of four current world hot spots: Chechnya, Taiwan, India and Pakistan. He was able to give a partial response to just one, Taiwan, raising questions about his ability to direct U.S. foreign policy. Asked about McCain's recent meeting with the gay Republicans, Bush said he would "probably not" meet with the group because it would create a "huge political nightmare." McCain said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that members of the group "are part of our party" and Republicans "are an inclusive party, and we should maintain the principles of Abraham Lincoln." Forbes, on CNN's "Late Edition," said: "If people want to talk to me, that's fine.

They might not like what I have to say on issues, such as same-sex marriage. I'm open to meet- ing a lot of people." All three candidates oppose same-sex marriages. Bush also discussed affirmative action when he was asked about a program that requires women and minorities to receive 10 percent of all contracts on federally funded transportation projects. Bush said that while he is "dead set against quotas," he has no problems with programs to recruit new businesses, regardless of the gender or ethnicity of the company's owner. "The object of contracting ought to be to encourage entrepreneurship in small business growth.

It ought to be not racial- ly based, it ought to be goal based in the sense that we want more and more firms to own businesses," he said. Bush avoided answering questions about any past drag use. "If someone was willing to go public with information that was damaging, you would have heard it by now," he said. Bush would not directly say whether anybody had information that could "compromise" him if elected president. On other issues, Bush: Would consider raising the Social Security eligibility age for Baby Boomers, as well as allowing people to invest part of their benefits in private accounts.

Favors giving consumers a limited right to sue their HMOs, but only after disputes go before an independent review panel and the HMO ignored the panel's recommendation. Wants a $1 billion increase for military readiness, with the "first step" going toward higher pay. Bush also wants to spend $20 billion more for military research and Would support a constitutional amendment to ban all abortions except in the case of incest, rape or to save the mother's life. Bush said "the country is not ready for a constitutional amendment." Governor Bush skips second GOP candidates' debate TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Front-runner George W.

Bush was the only major absentee Sunday as four Republican presidential hopefuls gathered for a campaign debate in Arizona, home of the fourth GOP primary. Arizona Sen. John McCain, publisher Steve Forbes, former diplomat Alan Keyes and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch were on hand to participate in the debate, sponsored by the Arizona Republican Party, at Arizona State University. The 8 p.m.

event was to be broadcast live on C-SPAN. More than 2,000 people bought tickets for the debate, which became a contest of the chal- lengers when Bush announced he would not attend. The Texas governor already has missed two debates in New Hampshire, because of what he said were scheduling conflicts. For the Best Night's Sleep Quality Bedding Individual coils make the difference edding that enhances the, best nights best resl of our lives. I-i 1 ji ome select £hei "beSl: arid you'll be delighted with the results of quality, deep comfort, and value.

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Flu Surveillance Study Clinical Research, Inc. will be conducting a Flu Study in the coming months. We are currently in the process of identifying when the flu virus arrives in the local area. If you are at least 12 years of age or older and are experiencing FLU or FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS (i.e., fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, nausea), and would be interested in participating in this flu surveillance study, please call (409) 297-3535 to schedule a flu screen visit. You will receive a physical examination and a flu test at no charge.

Participants will also receive compensation for this visit in the amount of $25.00 for time and travel. 135 Oyster Creek Suite Lake Jackson, Texas (409)297-3535 Toll Free: 1-877-297-3535 1.