Lessons of Katrina
Critical Infrastructure, Preparedness and Homeland Security
Luncheon Keynote Speaker:
Governor Jim Gilmore
Chairman, National Council on Readiness and Preparedness, former Governor of Virginia
The Center for American Progress is pleased to invite you to a conference exploring the state of critical infrastructure security, national preparedness and homeland security in light of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed critical infrastructure in and around New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and caused death, misery and dislocation for those in her path. Katrina damaged energy production, refining and distribution systems; closed ports and disrupted supply chains that had significant regional and national economic impact; degraded vital capabilities, including the region’s communications architecture, which hampered the ability of federal, state, local and private sector entities to respond in a timely and effective way; and exposed flawed response and recovery planning, a lack of coordination, and poor execution at all levels. Four years after 9/11, we are not as prepared as we should be for a national disaster, whether natural, man-made or terrorist in nature.
As part of its ongoing series on Critical Infrastructure Security, the Center will assemble a group of experts to evaluate the lessons learned from the Gulf Coast and their implications for U.S. national security and domestic preparedness. The conference will outline a strategy to better protect the American people and economy, make critical infrastructure more secure, and build more partnerships among federal, state and local governments and the private sector.
Video & Transcript
• Introduction | Morning Keynote Address: Congressman Bennie Thompson
• Lunchtime Keynote Speech: Gov. Jim Gilmore
• First Panel: Communications Infrastructure Security
• Second Panel: Energy Infrastructure Security
• Third Panel: Public Health and Safety Infrastructure Security
• Concluding Remarks and Summary Session: Clark Kent Ervin
• Full Transcript
Note: All video provided in QuickTime (MPEG-4) format.
Presentations
• Ron Minsk (Flash)
• Melanie Kenderdine (Flash)
• Lynn Goldman (Flash)
• Art Botterell (Flash)
• Ana Unruh Cohen (Flash)
• Erik Olson (NRDC web site)
Morning Keynote Address:
Bennie Thompson (D-MS), ranking member, House Homeland Security Committee
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
First Panel: Communications Infrastructure Security
Time: 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Art Botterell, Emergency Information Systems Consultant
Dave Farber, Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
Mike O’Dell, Venture Partner, New Enterprise Associates
Moderated by:
The Honorable Tim Roemer, President of the Center for National Policy
Second Panel: Energy Infrastructure Security
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Leon Fuerth, Research Professor, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University
Melanie Kenderdine, Vice-President for Washington Operations for the Gas Technology Institute
Michael Klare, Five College Professor of Peace and World Security Studies and Director of the Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies (PAWSS)
Ronald E. Minsk, Associate, Energy Practice Group, Alston & Bird, LLP
Moderated by:
Ana Unruh Cohen, Associate Director for Environmental Policy, Center for American Progress
Lunch will be served at 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon Keynote Address: Governor Jim Gilmore, Chairman, National Council on Readiness and Preparedness
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Third Panel: Public Health and Safety Infrastructure Security
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Honorable Lynn Goldman, M.D., Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Erik Olson, Senior Attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
The Honorable Jim Turner, former Congressman, Partner in the national security and public policy and legislative practices, Arnold & Porter, LLP
Moderated by:
PJ Crowley, Director of Homeland Security and National Defense, Center for American Progress
Concluding Remarks and Summary Session
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
P.J. Crowley, Director of Homeland Security and National Defense, Center for American Progress
with
Clark Kent Ervin, Director of the Homeland Security Initiative, Aspen Institute