Rampart Special Spring Issue: Expanded 4 Page Sports Section! Inside This Issue Hands-On Learning...............page 2 Track Rams Win Silver.........page 6 Subway Repeat?....................page 7 Fordham Preparatory School Congressman Crowley Forewarns Fenians About Potential Change in U.S. Approach to Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ On Friday March 9, the Fordham Fenians hosted Congressman Joseph Crowley. He came to the Prep to speak to us about one of his favorite topics, Ireland. Congressman Crowley began his political career in 1986 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly. He is currently serving his second term in Congress, representing the 7th Congressional District (Queens and the Bronx). He sits on the Committee on International Affairs and is the Cochairperson of the Congressional Adhoc Committee on Irish Affairs. The Congressman was part of the American delegation which accompanied President Clinton’s peace initiative to Northern Ireland last December. Crowley believes the current problems in Northern Ireland are a result from the fact that part of Ireland is still under English control. The deep distrust and dislike between the English Protestants and the Irish Catholics has hindered the peace process for generations. Part of the problem lies in the composition of the police force in Northern Ireland. Slightly less than half the population is Catholic yet the police is 93% Protestant. “The people have no control over those who protect them,” stated Crowley. Until this changes, peace will remain a distant viby Anthony Byrnes-Alvarado, 02 sion. According to Crowley, there is a tenuous cease-fire between the sides, however the peace process is slowing. Each side wants its demands to be met and neither is willing to compromise. As it for another date, causing concern among members of the peace process. In the past, this event had been used to foster peace talks between all involved parties at a neutral site. At a joint session of Congress, Secretary of State Colin Powell failed to mention the problems in Ireland. At the session, he was asked by both Democrats and Republicans about the situation at least six times. According to Crowley, President Bush offered US help to Britain’s Prime Minister should they request it, but did not say the same to Ireland. The most disconcerting sign is the transfer of the Irish peace process from the National Security Council to the State Department where it will receive much less visibility and attention. The “troubles” in Northern Ireland cannot be resolved with the present methods and attitudes. They will certainly not be aided by President Bush’s hands off and low-key approach. The United States has played a large role in the mediation of peace in Northern Ireland; to downgrade our involvement now endangers the process. Congressman Crowley’s speech was enlightening and we would like to thank Congressman Crowley for taking the opportunity to share that with us. the Congressman said, “If it [Ireland] is ever to become one, both sides must agree.” Crowley believes that President Clinton was very involved in the matter and set a high standard to follow. The election of George W. Bush has raised serious questions regarding the U.S. position on the peace process. During his campaign, President Bush promised top priority to the matter.. His decisions thus far, however, have alarmed some activists in both the United States and Ireland. The President cancelled the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon, and rescheduled Prep Alumnus Addresses Physics Students on Careers in Engineering April 2001 Number 6 Volume 61 Prep Alumnus, Matthew O’Donnell, head of the Bio-Medical Engineering Program at the University of Michigan, took time out from his busy schedule to describe engineering programs at the University of Michigan and engineering careers in general to Prep Physics students. Along with Derrick Scott and Michael A. White from the University of Michigan, Dr. O’Donnell addressed over 100 students in the Leonard Theatre One of the main points that Dr. O’Donnell stressed was the broad range of the engineering programs at the by William Rausch, ’02 University of Michigan. This claim is not unsubstantiated: in the 2000 edition of U.S. News & World Report: America’s Best Colleges, University of Michigan is ranked seventh in the nation. This speech, however, went further than a glorification of the university’s engineering program, and was a call to realize the importance of all engineers who he described as “affecting people’s lives in vital ways.” Citing his own patents including some in angioplasty, he gave concrete examples of the vital importance of engineers. Professor O’Donnell could not overstate the importance of the college search process. He urged those in attendance to start looking into different aspects of college including the size, where the college is situated, and the type of curriculum they offer. Although such search medians as the internet, bulletins, and books are helpful in the process, the professor stressed that the best way to get a feel for the atmosphere of a school is to visit it. Being the product of a Prep education, believes that a well-rounded education not only expands your academic horizons, but it also helps you in continued on page 2 Prepster Visits The Late Show with David Letterman