Black Ministers’ Katrina Commission Hearings Hold Government Accountable

The Katrina National Justice Commission will launch its third and final round of nationwide hearings in Houston, Texas on Thursday, July 27th to document successes and failures in the local, state and federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Houston, TX -- The Katrina National Justice Commission will launch its third and final round of nationwide hearings in Houston, Texas on Thursday, July 27th to document successes and failures in the local, state and federal response to Hurricane Katrina. Convened by the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, the Commission is the first national independent body of African-American clergy and community activists to investigate the events preceding and following the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

The Commission, akin to the 911 Commission, will identify critical next steps for long-term reconstruction and restoration; plans that must be undertaken to ensure preparedness for disasters and emergencies in communities across the nation; and long-term public policies that may help eradicate racial and economic disparities made evident by this disaster. The Commission held its first round of hearings earlier this month in Washington, DC and a second in New Orleans, LA.

WHO: Testifiers are evacuees, first responders, public officials, and representatives from charitable organizations, including:

· Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (D- Houston, TX)

· Marian Wright Edelman, Founder and President of Children’s Defense Fund

· Madhu Beriwal, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation

· Councilman William Stallworth, City of Biloxi, MS

· Brenda Billops Square, Director of Archives & Library at AMISTAD Research Center

· Joseph Givens, PICO National Network/Churches Supporting Churches

· Sherece West, CEO Louisiana Disaster and Recovery Foundation

· Rev. Dr. Samson “Skip� Alexander, People’s Defense League

Commissioners are national leaders representing a cross section of clergy, academics and professionals, including:

· Mr. Robert “Bob� Johnson, CEO, Johnson Bryce, Inc. Chicago, IL

· Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Senior Pastor, Allen Temple Baptist & American Baptist Seminary of the West, Oakland, CA

· General Harry W. Brooks, U.S. Army (Ret.)

· Atty. Alfreda Robinson, Professor, George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC

· Dr. Ronald Walters, Professor, Univ. of MD & Director of the African American Ldrship Institute

· Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby, Senior Pastor, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, TX

· Rev. Dr. Susan K. Smith, Senior Pastor, Advent United Church of Christ, Columbus, OH

WHEN: Thursday, July 27, 2006: 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Friday, July 28, 2006, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

WHERE: Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Avenue, Houston, Texas 77004

Phone: 713-748-5240

MEDIA NOTE: Please contact Rhoda McKinney-Jones, at 267-218-4023 to arrange interviews with commissioners and testifiers.

www.sdpconference.info

CONTACT: Rhoda McKinney-Jones, 267-218-4023