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friday, february 23, 1973
lincoln, nebraska vol. 96, no. 77
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Speakers divide on ERA
by Steve Arvanette
Opponents of the Equal Rights Amendment
(ERA), which has been proposed as an addition to
the U.S. Constitution, had their hearing before a
committee of the Unicameral Thursday. At issue was
whether Nebraska's state senators should attempt to
remove the state's name from the list of states which
have ratified the amendment.
After hearing nearly four hours of testimony from
49 witnesses, the Government, Military and Veterans
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photo by Dan La del y
An advocate of ERA repeal. .one of
many women who filled the legislative
chamber and part of the Capitol
rotunda.
Affairs Committee decided to defer final action on
the resolution.
Sen. Richard Proud, introducer of the resolution
to rescind ratification, termed the ERA a "lie." He
said the amendment should be termed "equal
obligation."
The amendment was named equal rights, Proud
told the committee, in an attempt to "fool" Congress
and state legislators.
Proud opened the hearing with an announcement
that President Nixon had made a statement Thursday
supporting the ERA. The Omaha senator went on to
say that Nixon "is out of touch with the grassroots of
America.
"We aren't going to let Richard Nixon tell us what
to do," he said.
Spectators filled the legislative chamber galleries,
forcing many more to listen in the capitol rotunda
through a public address system. Those attending the
hearing appeared equally divided on the issue and
were repeatedly asked not to applaud speakers'
comments.
Many supporters of repeal wore tags in the shape
of a woman wearing a bonnet The tags said "no
ERA." Many others opposing repeal had tags with a
mathematical sign for equality.
Anne Patrick Trombly of Lincoln said the
resolution (to repeal) was an insult to all women. She
said it demonstrated Proud's "contempt for women."
An attorney from Oklahoma City, Okla., said she
initally supported the amendment but after further
study changed her mind. "I am an advocate of equal
rights," Lana Tyree said.
She said the ERA at best was "redundant." Tyree
said she was concerned with possible federal court
interpretations concerning congressional intent if the
amendment was passed.
"Does equality require rigid sameness?" she asked.
"We have no desire to descend to a sexless society."
Lincoln Sen. Harold Simpson who opposed the
resolution was asked if the issue shouldn't be sent to
the floor of the Legislature for full discussion. He said
the ERA controversy needed as much floor
consideration as "green stamps and such," implying
there were more serious topics to debate.
Former Sen. Fern Orme of Lincoln agreed there
were more important things for the Legislature to
"spend its time on." She was one of the principle
introducers of the resolution in last year's legislative
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photo by Dan Ladely
Sen. Richard Proud. . .ERA should be
called the equal obligation amendment
session to ratify the amendment.
Orme told the committee the amendment's
ratification history. She said a vote on it came with
"full knowledge and approval of the resolution."
The former state senator acknowledged "our main
concern was not a discussion of the amendment" but
rather being the first state to ratify it formally.
Much of Thursday's testimony from ERA
opponents was that women had sufficient protection
for their rights. Tom Walsh, an Omaha attorney,
disagreed that the 14th Amendment protects
women's rights.
Trombly agreed , with Walsh that the ERA
amendment would equalize rights and responsibilities
for men and women. "You can't have equality of
citizenry without equality of responsibility," she said
r
Student
art show
smaller, quieter
this year
by Adella Wacker
"That's interesting.. .but, no, I wouldn't buy it."
"Why not?"
"Well, I couldn't cope with seeing it everyday."
The student critic was talking about one of the paintings
being shown in the 1973 student art exhibition at Sheldon Art
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Galatea by Deborah Wagner. . .a sculpture in the
student art exhibition at Sheldon.
Gallery.
The annual spring showing of UNL undergraduate art work
opened Monday, two and a half months earlier than last year's
snowing.
The opening night also was quieter and the collection of
prints, paintings, sculpture, photographs, drawings and pottery
was smaller.
Last year's show opened May 5 with a rock band playing
outside the gallery and a jazz quartet inside.
This year there was no music. There also are about 25 fewer
works in the show this year.
Ninety-five undergraduate artists have a total of 172 works
of art on display.
The showing is early to make room for a 10trj anniversary
celebration showing at the gallery in early May.
Douglas Ross, associate professor of art, said that the
overall reduction of the department's funds meant that there
wasn't as much art money to spend on the student show.
Ross chaired the committee that chose art submitted by
class instructors for the show. Because the show is earlier, the
art was selected mainly from first semester classwork.
Opinions vary about whether or not a smaller show is
better.
The show is "less interesting," "better," "not so cluttered"
or "interesting," depending on who you ask.
And of course, artists and other students have something to
say about the pieces, which are on display until March 19.
"That's a good idea, but she did it wrong," one critic said.
"I get really mad at just a piece of canvas with something
slapped in the middle, something that only takes about five
minutes to do. There doesn't seem to be very much of that
here, though' another person added.
"What does 'untitled' mean?" one person asked.
"What's a gumprint?" another queried.
Artists who stand in front of their displayed works run the
risk of overhearing comments from other gallery visitors.
Ross said that opening night he accused some students of
standing too long in front of their own work.
Graduate art student Carl Coniglio said about some critics:
"They just don't know what's going on."
Coniglio took his beginning drawing class to look at the
student show on Tuesday.
Coniglio said he thinks that individuals should try to do art
before they can begin to see "what works" in a piece of art
He also said the prices asked for the student art don't seem
unreasonable. Prices ranged from $10 for a print to $250 for a
three-canvas oil painting. Coniglio also said that most student
artists are willing to barter over prices.
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