There are few things that are purely American. On that short list are baseball and the two-year community college. Bill Jason Priest possessed skill and acumen for both. The better part of his life was spent developing and defining the junior college into the comprehensive community college. His contributions earned him a prestigious place in the annals of higher education, but his personality was not one of a stereotypical stodgy educator, nor is the story of his life a dry read. After working his way through college, Priest played professional baseball before serving in Naval Intelligence during World War II. His varied experiences helped shape his leadership style, often labeled as autocratic and sometimes truculent in conservative convictions. The same relentless drive that brought him criticism also brought him success and praise. Forthright honesty and risk-taking determination combined with vision brought about many positive results. Priest’s career in higher education began with the two-year college system in California before he was lured to Texas in 1965 to head the Dallas County Junior College District. Over the next fifteen years Priest transformed the junior college program into the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) and built it up to seven colleges. …

In 1984, a Moroccan national named Abdelkrim Belachheb walked into Iannis Restaurant, a trendy Dallas nightclub, and gunned down seven people. Six died. Despite the fact that the crimes occurred in a state that prides itself on being tough on criminals, the death penalty was not an option for the Belachheb jury. Even though he had committed six murders, and his guilt was never in question (despite his insanity defense), his crimes were not capital murders under 1984 statutes. As a direct result of this crime, during the 1985 regular session the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 8--the “multiple murder” statute--to make serial killing and mass murder capital crimes. Belachheb’s case serves as an excellent example to explore capital punishment and the insanity defense. Furthermore, Belachheb’s easy entry into the United States (despite his violent record in Europe) highlights our contemporary fear over lax immigration screening and subsequent terrorism. The case is unique in that debate usually arises from an execution. Belachheb was given life imprisonment and is currently under maximum security--a fate some would argue is “worse than death.” He is scheduled to have his first parole hearing in 2004, the twentieth anniversary of his crime. “This is a …

No More Silence is the first oral history of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, from eyewitness accounts through the police reactions, investigations, and aftermath. Based on in-depth interviews conducted in Dallas, it features narratives of forty-nine key eyewitnesses, police officers, deputy sheriffs, and government officials. Here—in many cases for the first time—participants are allowed to speak for themselves without interpretation, editing, or rewording to fit some preconceived speculation. Unlike the testimony given in the Warren Commission volumes, the contributors openly state their opinions regarding conspiracy and cover-ups. Of particular interest are the fascinating stories from the Dallas Police Department—few of the policemen have come forward with their stories until now. No More Silence humanizes those involved in the events in Dallas in 1963 and includes photographs of the participants around the time of the assassination and as they appear today. Was there a conspiracy in the assassination of President Kennedy? No More Silence gives readers the best perspective yet on the subject, allowing them to sift through the evidence and draw their own conclusions. "Sneed accomplishes what has never been done before, which is to tell the story of the four days from the Dallas point of view …

Interview with John D. Dellingham, a Navy WWII veteran from Dallas, Texas. Dellingham discusses his experiences aboard the USS Hull at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, as well as his decision to join the Navy, training, assignment to the Hull, work and life on the ship, operations prior to December 7th, the crew's reaction to the attack and performance in the battle, operations afterwards, and his service later in the war.

Interview with Walter Palmer, an employee with Kaiser Permanente from Kansas City, Missouri, who worked with the Kaiser-Prudential joint venture in Texas insurance during the 1980s. Palmer discusses his background and joining Kaiser, the start of the venture, people involved, financial and managerial arrangements, group practice, facilities, difficulties with servicing the DFW area, and some reflections on his time in the business.

Interview with Benjamin Bình-Thiên Phạm Lương, a chef from Dallas, Texas who studied at the Culinary Institute of America. Benjamin discusses the background of his Vietnamese parents, the Vietnam War, politics, his father's education in the United States, and his own personal journey to becoming a chef.

Interview with Dr. John Roberts, former superintendent of Richardson Independent School District from Grand Prairie, Texas, who worked through the district's desegregation. Roberts discusses how he came to Richardson ISD, desegregating, closures and reorganization of the district, issues with becoming fully integrated, developing the Pacesetter program, and thoughts on its impact.

Transcript of an interview with Hardy Haberman, film producer, web designer, and longtime Dallas LGBT activist, for the Dallas LGBT Oral History Project. Haberman discusses his childhood in Dallas, Texas; coming out; LGBT Dallas history; LGBT activism; AIDS crisis in Dallas; current work in web design and marketing; current activism; Cathedral of Hope.

Transcript of an interview with Erio Enzo Pedini, an immigrant from the Republic of San Marino. Pedini recounts memories growing up in the Republic of San Marino and going to school in Italy; Coming to America in 1958 and the differences in cultures and lifestyles; Living and working in Detroit, Michigan; becoming a U.S. citizen; moving to Dallas, Texas; and working in the building industry.

Interview with Dr. Shazia Ali, a professor from Dallas, Texas. Ali discusses her life and career as a Pakistani-American, including her family origins, growing up in Karachi and Dubai, her education, her work for a newspaper, the slums of Karachi, meeting her husband, being married over the phone, emigrating to Dallas, employment at UT-Dallas, having children, attending Richland College, cultural effects of September 11th, getting a PhD, parenting, and navigating cultures.