Rights, Recovery and Renaissance

Schedule

8:45 am to 4 pm

November 19, 2005

Southern University Law Center, Rooms 129 & 130
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Schedule subject to change

REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST:  8:30 am

Breakfast will be provided

PRAYER AND WELCOME: 8:45 am to 9 am

Opening Prayer: Marshall Truehill

Welcoming: Dr. Ernest Johnson, President of the Louisiana NAACP and Dr. Quintus R. Jett, Professor Dartmouth College

OPENING SESSION: 9 am to 10 am

Congressman Charlie Melancon (Louisiana-3rd)

Senator Charles Steele, President & CEO of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

Representative Cedric Richmond, Chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus

Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America

Introductions of Speakers: Monisha Sujan

PANEL 1: 10:15 am to 11:15 am

THE RIGHT TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Description: Citizens affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have a right to environmental protection.  This session will briefly cover the current environmental situation-the hazards present and the safety precautions necessary.  Panelists will then propose immediate actionable items so that attendees can ensure this basic right to protection from environmental hazards.

The Rights to Environmental Protection Subtopics Include: The Role of the Corp of Engineers, The Role of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Panelists: Darryl Malek-Wiley, Anne Rolfes and  Aaron Viles 

Moderator: Jeffery Thomas

PANEL 2: 11:30 am to 12:30 am

THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY

Description: Citizens affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have a right to participate in the economic development of their communities.  This session will briefly cover the current situation regarding rebuilding contracts, Optimal Building Processes & Technologies and the position of local labor.  Panelists will then propose immediate actionable items so that attendees can ensure this basic right to participate in economic development.

The Right to Participate in Economic Development Subtopics Include: Minority Contractors, Employment Discrimination

Panelists: Eugene Cornelius, George Gele, Karen Livers, Susan Mason,  Beverly Trahan and Marshall Truehill 

Moderator: Musheer Robinson

Lunch Break: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Lunch will be provided

PANEL 3: 1:30pm to 2:30 pm

THE RIGHT TO POLITICAL REPRESENTATION

Description: Citizens affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have a right to political representation.  This session will briefly cover the current situation regarding the effects of displacement on constituent contact with elected officials, on citizen lobbying, on campaigning and on voting.  The February 4, 2005 elections will recieve special attention.  Panelists will then propose immediate actionable items so that attendees can ensure this basic right to political representation.

The Right to Political Representation Subtopics Include: Dispersed Louisiana Voters, Campaigning for the Upcoming Elections, Casting Votes in the Upcoming Elections and Voting Rights Violations

Panelists: Carmelita Freeman, Jacques Morial, Shana Sasson and Dave Zimmerman

Moderator: Dr. Quintus Jett 

PANEL 4: 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm

THE RIGHT TO ECONOMIC SECURITY FOLLOWING PUBLIC CATASTROPHES

Description: Citizens affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have a right to economic security following public catastrophes.  This session will briefly cover the current situation regarding jobs, housing, and healthcare.  Panelists will then propose immediate actionable items so that attendees can ensure this basic right to economic security.

The Rights to Economic Security Subtopics Include: Primary and Secondary Education, Colleges and Universities, Transitional Houses, Rebuilding Housing, Mortgages, Fair Housing Violations and the Role of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Panelists: Johnie Anderson, Lauree Hayden, Johnie Pierre and Bert Santos

Moderator: Leonard Moore

CLOSING: 3:45 pm to 4 pm

Description: The closing will consists of the actionable steps, as outlined at Rights, Recovery and Renaissance, that will work to ensure the four discussed rights.

Closing Delivered by Dr. Ernest Johnson, President of the Lousiana NAACP and Dr. Quintus Jett, Professor at Dartmouth College