Burgess Owens: “I would like to read from that statement that I read to the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Education Brain…”

“I would like to read from that statement that I read to the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Education Brain Trust about Katrina and how education initiatives could be important. The Katrina hurricane disaster has highlighted the continuing permanent disaster of national and local policies which neglect the basic needs of poor Americans. To focus specifically on education, please be advised that the New Orleans school system is rated presently as the very worst among numerous struggling urban systems. From this current tragedy, there is a challenge for all Americans. In concert with the citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana, there should be a multi-level effort to redesign and rebuild a 21st century model education system. In concert with the citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana, there should be a national effort, a multi-level effort, to redesign and rebuild a 21st century model education system in New Orleans. New standards would could be set for physical facilities constructed to serve as emergency centers as well as schools. Now, every school, whenever there is a natural disaster, the first facility utilized, if nearby, is a school. Why do we not better equip schools to handle emergencies? Why do we not recognize in the building of schools that they should be built so that they are adaptable for disasters, whether they are natural or man-made? Why can schools not be built so there are storage places for extra equipment and supplies and beds?…”