Outstanding Need, Slow Progress
The first Katrina-related hearing of the 110th Congress is scheduled for Monday, January 29. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a field hearing in New Orleans, entitled “Outstanding Need, Slow Progress.” Witnesses on the 1st panel will include officials from HUD, FEMA, the Office of Gulf Coast Rebuilding, SBA, and GAO. The 2nd panel will be Mayor Nagin, the Chair of Greater New Orleans, Inc, and Walter Leger (Director of Housing for the Louisiana Recovery Authority).
The hearing will take place at at the Louisiana Supreme Court, at 9am CST.
Any ideas for staging an action that would command the attention of the nation?
Update: We’re leaning toward showing up to listen respectfully. - Alan Gutierrez
Update: The hearing announcement at the Senate’s website.
Update: A Congressional Hearing is the attention of the nation. No action is necessary. We just need to attend and listen. If you want to make a statement, wear black.
Update: This is from the New Orleans City Business article Senate committee field hearing slated for New Orleans.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs will hold a field hearing in New Orleans on
hurricane recovery issues 9 a.m. Monday.The hearing, “Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Outstanding Need, Slow
Progress,” will take place at the Louisiana Supreme Court, 400 Royal St.
Here is a map to 400 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130.
26 Comments | 3 Trackbacks |
comments feed  |
Comment Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
Comment Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All
How about a REALLY SLOOOOOW walk around the outside of the building. Good visual for TV coverage
Will there be seating for the public inside the building, at the actual hearing? If so, I’m sure the number of available places will be far fewer than the number of interested parties likely to show up.
I have a 10 am doctor’s appointment; it’s probably not feasible for me to come to the French Quarter, get a parking place in time to be present at the hearing when it begins at 9am, and then to leave after the first half-hour for my appointment. However, if it’s to be an all-day affair, I could arrive noonish ~ if there would still be room for me inside (very unlikely) or if any demonstration would still be ongoing outside.
Please, everyone and anyone, do NOT attend this event with the intent of being disruptive. Such behavior won’t help anyone, and would undoubtedly hurt our cause in the eyes of many skeptical folks, not only officials but also ordinary Ameican citizens outside our immediate area.
The only observers not likely to be offended and turned off by disruptive behavior are those who are already on our side anyway; we need to make a persuasive case with folks who are NOT already outraged, i.e., people who are not yet familiar with what’s actually going on here. A reasonable, well-behaved presentation of the many undeniable facts demonstrating governmental incompetence is what we need to show the outside world.
The HANO press conference was LAST Monday, fyi, so no conflict.
I agree with Karen regarding disruption. We will subsequently be shut out.
[...] The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is holding a field meeting in NO Monday the 29th (yes, Monday) starting at 9 a.m at the LA Supreme Court, 400 Royal St. The Senate committee announcement is here and there are more details at Think New Orleans. The idea is “to listen respectfully” but “If you want to make a statement, wear black.” The best statement probably is to be there, to not let things happen in secret right out in the open. [...]
[...] I am planning to take the day off work and attend the field hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which is being held here in New Orleans on Monday. The title of the hearing is “Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Outstanding Need, Slow Progress.” Details and discussion here. I will be wearing black. I will take notes. I encourage any locals who are able to do the same. Let’s pack the place. [...]
It’s posted on my site with the inclusion of wearing black.
I will be there with a future New Orleanian who gives one week out of every month of her life in Minnesota to help out here. Her daughters will be with us too.
And I will be in black, and in the role of Priestess/Minister (Didn’t know I was ordained, ‘eh?).
Those who show up are there for ALL of New Orleans, and we are the witnesses of what happened to our city.
Let’s make this gathering one of great importance.. of the utmost gravity. We will be there to make a silent statement: we will not go easily into the Darkness, but for now… we ARE watching. Bide this tryst America: We are watching and judging.
Bart was able to get in today, but there were far too few places for the Public