Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 25 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
DOUBLE-ARM TRANSPLANT FOR SOLDIER On Facebook, he describes himself as a “wounded warrior...very wounded.” Brendan Marrocco was the first soldier to survive losing all four limbs in the Iraq War, and doctors revealed Monday that he’s received a double-arm transplant.
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
January 29, 2013
TUESDAY
www.rdrnews.com
Immigration overhaul? Politicians vow action
WASHINGTON (AP) — Side by side, leading Democratic and Republican senators pledged Monday to propel far-reaching immigration legislation through the Senate by summer providing a possible path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people now in the U.S. illegally. The senators acknowledged pitfalls that have doomed such efforts in the past, but they suggested that November’s elections — with Hispanics voting heavily for President Barack Obama and other Democrats — could make this time different. Passage of the emotionally charged legislation by
the Democratic-controlled Senate is far from assured, and a taller hurdle could come later in the House, which is dominated by conservative Republicans who’ve shown little interest in immigration overhaul. Obama will lay out his own proposals Tuesday, most of which mirror the Senate plans.
Besides the citizenship provision, including new qualifications, the Senate measure would increase border security, allow more temporary workers to stay and crack down on employers who would hire illegal immigrants. The plans are still short on detail, and all the senators conceded that
months of tedious and politically treacherous negotiations lie ahead. But with a re-elected Obama pledging his commitment, the lawmakers argued that six years after the last sustained congressional effort at an immigration overhaul came up short in the Senate, chances for approval this year are much better. “Other bipartisan groups of senators have stood in the same spot before, trumpeting similar proposals,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. “But we believe this will be the year Congress finally gets it done. The polSee IMMIGRATION, Page A3
To err is human; to forgive, canine
AP Photo
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., right, and Sen. Charles Schumer, DN.Y., left, join a bipartisan group to announce that they have reached agreement on the principles of sweeping legislation to rewrite the nation's immigration laws, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Monday.
Sen. Pirtle seeks input ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
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TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
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INSIDE SPORTS
Jessica Palmer Photo
This pit bull terrier, who reportedly had its ears cut off by his owner early in December, has found a new home. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals, but the charges were dropped when he signed the pit bull over to Animal Services. The pit bull has subsquently fallen into a good crowd when he was taken to Casa Querencia Animal Health Center, 1607 Fowler Rd., for surgery. Employee Susan Goodman decided to adopt the dog. Papa Goodman received kisses. He calls the dog Peanut. He came to Animal Services to finalize the adoption papers. Goodman said: “He climbed into my lap after the surgery, and I just fell in love with him.”
DJOKOVIC’S DOWN UNDER DELIGHT MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — No shirt ripping or bare-chested flexing this time. Novak Djokovic completed his work before midnight, defeating ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• John Nalda • Dudley E. Stefhon • Patricia Trewitt • Thelma Rinehart • Adolfo R. Zavala • Bernadine Goble
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HIGH ...51˚ LOW ....29˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.....A8 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........B6 LOTTERIES ............A2 NATION .................A7 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
Sen. Clif f Pirtle, RRoswell, a member of the Indian and Cultural Affairs and Rules committees, said he will be paying close attention to a Senate Joint Memorial to re-establish the Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico as a federally recognized Native American tribe. SJM 5 reads that “after 1871, the Chihene Nde were no longer recognized as an Indian tribe under United States Indian policy;” however, “descendants of the Chihene Nde ancestors and their families have worked individually to preserve their culture and heritage ... to remind everyone that they are still here, living as a distinct people with a common history and culture.” The memorial has been assigned to the Rules committee and Pirtle said he will be following it for his Mescalero-area con-
Gun restrictions go before legal panel Virgin Galactic agrees to pay Spaceport rent
SANTA FE (AP) — The New Mexico Legislature joined a national debate over gun violence Monday as lawmakers considered a proposal to require criminal background checks of people buying firearms from private sellers, including at gun shows. The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony for more than two hours from supporters and opponents of the measure. More than 200 people packed a public gallery overlooking the House chambers to watch the hearing. The debate over the gun legislation comes a month after a Connecticut school shooting that claimed 26
lives. Democratic Rep. Miguel Garcia of Albuquerque said his proposal will help prevent sales of firearms to people prohibited from buying firearms, including convicted felons and those with a history of mental illness. “We want to keep these weapons away from individuals who shouldn’t be possessing them in the first place,” said Garcia. Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers in stores or at gun shows. However, the law doesn’t cover firearm sales between private individuals, whether at a gun show or someone’s home.
Peggy Sue Thomas gets plea deal concerning 2003 murder JESSICA PALMER ROSWELL STAFF WRITER
Peggy Sue Thomas pleaded guilty, Friday, to a reduced charge of rendering criminal assistance. Thomas, formerly married to Roswell celebrity and owner of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, Mark Allen, was originally charged with homicide in the 2003 murder of Russel Douglas. According to reports, Douglas was found deceased from fatal gun shot wounds in the front seat of his 2002 Chevrolet Tracker in Freelund on Whidbey Island, Washington. Thomas allegedly plotted Douglas’ murder with her boyfriend, James Huden. She reportedly lured Douglas to his death. Douglas had been shot twice in the head. Huden was arrested in June, 2011. Thomas was apprehended in July 2011 on her houseboat “Off the Hook” near Farmington. The one-time beauty queen and native of Washington State purportedly assisted in the killing because she believed Douglas was abusing his wife and children. Thomas had once worked as a beautician at a salon owned by Douglas’ wife. Huden was convicted of first-degree murder last sumSee DEAL, Page A3
Opponents, including the National Rifle Association, said the bill won’t stop criminals from acquiring guns because they typically don’t try to buy firearms at gun shows. “This bill is unenforceable and has the unintended consequence of affecting only those who follow the law and completely overlooks the fact that if someone wants to do us harm, they’re going to find a way to do so — regardless of the law — with or without a gun,” said Steve Aikens, a certified firearms instructor from Clovis. Santa Fe Mayor David See GUNS, Page A3
See INPUT, Page A3
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Virgin Galactic says it will start paying New Mexico rent on the nearly quarterbillion dollar Spaceport the state built for Richard Branson’s space tourism business, but the company is doing so under protest and without waiving its right to walk away from the project. According to letters obtained by The Associated Press, Virgin Galactic says the state has not finished the work necessary to trigger activation of its $1 million-a-year rent. And it says if the work is not complete by March 31, it may stop paying or give notice to terminate its lease. New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Christine Anderson says the state’s obligations have been met. She has requested a meeting with the company. The dispute comes after Virgin expressed concerns about the state’s inability to attract more business to the project.
No alarm, only 1 exit in Brazil nightclub fire SANTA MARIA, Brazil (AP) — The nightclub Kiss was hot, steamy from the press of beer-fueled bodies dancing close. The Brazilian country band on stage was whipping the young crowd into a frenzy, launching into another fast-paced, accordion-driven tune and lighting flares that spewed silver sparks into the air. It was another Saturday night in Santa Maria, a university town of about 260,000 on Brazil’s southernmost tip. Then, in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, it turned into a scene of indescribable horror as sparks lit a fire in the soundproofing material above the stage, churning out black, toxic See FIRE, Page A3
AP Photo
Relatives and friends carry the coffins of two brothers, Pedro and Marcelo Salla, who died in a nightclub fire, as they prepare to bury them at a cemetery in Santa Maria, Brazil, Monday.