Family member Andrew Burriss

Events in 2002 and 17-12

Events in US in the birth year of Andrew Burriss

• President Bush's first State of the Union address vows to expand the fight on terrorism and labels Iran, Iraq, and North Korea "an axis of evil" (Jan. 29).
• Kenneth L. Lay, chairman of bankrupt energy trader Enron, resigns; company under federal investigation for hiding debt and misrepresenting earnings (Jan. 24). Background: 2002 News of the Nation
• U.S. withdraws from International Court treaty (May 6).
• FBI lawyer Coleen Rowley criticizes FBI for thwarting terrorist efforts in a letter to the FBI director (May 21).
• U.S. abandons 31-year-old Antiballistic Missile treaty (June 13). Background: 2001 News of the Nation
• Bush announces change in Middle East policy: U.S. will not recognize an independent Palestinian state until Yasir Arafat is replaced (June 24).
• Bush signs corporate reform bill (July 30) in response to a spate of corporate scandals: Enron, Arthur Andersen, Tyco, Qwest, Global Crossing, ImClone, and Adelphia, among others, were convicted or placed under federal investigation for various misadventures in fraud and crooked accounting. Background: 2002 News of the Nation
• Pennsylvania miners rescued after spending 77 hours in a dark, flooded mine shaft (July 28).
• Bush addresses United Nations, calling for a "regime change" in Iraq (Sept. 12).
• Snipers prey upon DC suburbs, killing ten and wounding others (Oct. 2–24). Police arrest two sniper suspects, John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo (Oct. 24).
• Republicans retake the Senate in midterm elections; gain additional House seats (Nov. 5). Background: 2002 News of the Nation
• Bush signs legislation creating cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (Nov. 25).
• Boston archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law resigns as a result of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals and cover-up of priest-child molestation. (Dec. 13). Background: 2002 News of the Nation

Birthday Andrew Burriss (17-12) in history

• Day 17-12 year 1777: France recognized American independence.
• Day 17-12 year 1903: Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first flight in a heavier-than-air plane at Kitty Hawk, N.C.
• Day 17-12 year 1944: The U.S. Army announced the end of its policy of holding Japanese-Americans in internment camps, allowing "evacuees" to return home.
• Day 17-12 year 1969: The U.S. Air Force ended its "Project Blue Book" and concluded that there was no evidence of extraterrestrial activity behind UFO sightings.
• Day 17-12 year 1992: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) signed by U.S., Canada, and Mexico.