U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins (R-Me) Holds a Hearing On Hurricane Katrina Recovery

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U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins (R-Me) Holds a Hearing On Hurricane Katrina Recovery

U.S. SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HOLDS A HEARING ON HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY

SEPTEMBER 14, 2005

SPEAKERS: U.S. SENATOR SUSAN M. COLLINS (R-ME) CHAIRMAN U.S. SENATOR TED STEVENS (R-AK) U.S. SENATOR GEORGE V. VOINOVICH (R-OH) U.S. SENATOR NORM COLEMAN (R-MN) U.S. SENATOR TOM COBURN (R-OK) U.S. SENATOR LINCOLN CHAFEE (R-RI) U.S. SENATOR ROBERT F. BENNETT (R-UT) U.S. SENATOR PETE V. DOMENICI (R-NM) U.S. SENATOR JOHN W. WARNER (R-VA)

U.S. SENATOR JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN (D-CT) RANKING MEMBER U.S. SENATOR CARL LEVIN (D-MI) U.S. SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA (D-HI) U.S. SENATOR THOMAS R. CARPER (D-DE) U.S. SENATOR MARK DAYTON (D-MN) U.S. SENATOR FRANK R. LAUTENBERG (D-NJ) U.S. SENATOR MARK PRYOR (D-AR)

WITNESSES: PETE WILSON, FORMER GOVERNOR, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

PATRICIA OWENS, FORMER MAYOR, GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA

MARC MORIAL, FORMER MAYOR, NEW ORLEANS, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

IAIN LOGAN, OPERATIONS LIAISON, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES

[*] COLLINS: The committee will come to order.

Today, the committee begins an inquiry into the Hurricane Katrina disaster. I would like to thank my colleagues and our witnesses -- and particularly my ranking member, Senator Lieberman -- for their prompt cooperation on a matter of such urgency.

In the months ahead, this committee intends to conduct a thorough, deliberate and fair review of the preparation for and response to this devastating hurricane at all levels of government.

We will ask the hard questions about the adequacy of the planning efforts for this long-predicted natural disaster.

We will explore the coordination among local, state and federal emergency management officials before and after the hurricane's landfall.

And we will critically examine the legal structures and authorities that define who is in charge of assets that must be brought to bear in such a catastrophic event. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, America has worked hard and invested billions of dollars to create an emergency preparedness and response structure that would bring together local, state and federal authorities into one cohesive and effective unit.

In its first major test since 9/11, however, this structure failed to meet our expectations.

At this point, we would have expected a sharp, crisp response to this terrible tragedy. Instead, we witnessed a sluggish initial response that was characterized by a confusing lack of unity of command, a lack of coordination among different levels of government and a lack of communication -- sometimes even an inability to communicate at all -- among government entities, first responders, utilities, health-care providers and other emergency workers.

Some have said that the problems have been caused by the federal government's post-9/11 focus on terrorism.

Our committee will look at that issue, but I will tell you at the outset that I really doubt that, that is the problem.

Much of our preparation for a terrorist attack is equally applicable whether the cause of the incident is a natural disaster, fire or accident. For example, if the levees in New Orleans had been breached by a terrorist attack instead of a hurricane, we would still be faced with very similar evacuation, rescue and recovery challenges.

Another issue that we will examine is whether FEMA should be part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Again, I will say at the outset that my inclination is that it should be part of DHS. Whether it is a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, FEMA plays a key role in the response.

DHS includes offices that support preparedness at the state and local level, as well as federal agencies like the Coast Guard that play critical roles in planning and response.

Including FEMA as part of DHS should promote better coordination with these agencies.

Another question that is being debated is whether or not an outside commission should be formed to investigate Katrina. The answer to that question really has no bearing on our work here.

Regardless of whether an outside commission is established, it is essential that Congress conduct an aggressive inquiry.

We would be remiss if we ignored our clear responsibility to conduct oversight to identify why the preparation and initial response were so woefully inadequate. We must identify problems so that we can change the laws and institute the reforms that only Congress has the power to implement.

The purpose of our work here is not simply to...

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