A Failure of Initiative: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Inv…


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In September 2005, the House of Representatives created the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. The Committee was charged with conducting "a full and complete investigation and study and to report its findings to the House not later than February 15, 2006, regarding-- (1) the development, coordination, and execution by local, State, and Federal authorities of emergency response plans and other activities in preparation for Hurricane Katrina; and (2) the local, State, and Federal government response to Hurricane Katrina."

The Committee presents the report narrative and the findings that stem from it to the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people for their consideration. Members of the Select Committee agree unanimously with the report and its findings. Other Members of Congress who participated in the Select Committee’s hearings and investigation but were not official members of the Select Committee, while concurring with a majority of the report’s findings, have presented additional views as well, which we offer herein on their behalf.

First and foremost, this report is issued with our continued thoughts and prayers for Katrina’s victims. Their families. Their friends. The loss of life, of property, of livelihoods and dreams has been enormous. And we salute all Americans who have stepped up to the plate to help in any way they can. (Summary modified from the Preface.) (20 hr 59 min)

Chapters

Preface 15:02 Read by Larry Wilson
Executive Summary of Findings 20:40 Read by Larry Wilson
Investigation Overview, part 1 17:48 Read by Maryanka
Investigation Overview, part 2 19:18 Read by Andrew Nelson
Investigation Overview, part 3 18:23 Read by Jennifer Dorr
Investigation Overview, part 4 26:06 Read by Doug Sheppard
Background, part 1 32:09 Read by Doug Sheppard
Background, part 2 30:15 Read by Doug Sheppard
Background, part 3 23:52 Read by Doug Sheppard
Background, part 4 22:51 Read by Doug Sheppard
Pre-landfall Preparation and Katrina's Impact, part 1 26:01 Read by Richard Shipp
Pre-landfall Preparation and Katrina's Impact, part 2 19:50 Read by Richard Shipp
Pre-landfall Preparation and Katrina's Impact, part 3 28:00 Read by Richard Shipp
Hurricane Pam 17:09 Read by Maria Kasper
Levees, part 1 26:32 Read by Michele Fry
Levees, part 2 22:39 Read by Michele Fry
Evacuation, part 1 24:31 Read by Maria Kasper
Evacuation, part 2 30:46 Read by Maria Kasper
Evacuation, part 3 18:02 Read by Maria Kasper
Evacuation, part 4 21:23 Read by Maria Kasper
The National Framework for Emergency Management, part 1 15:39 Read by Mary J
The National Framework for Emergency Management, part 2 19:57 Read by Mary J
The National Framework for Emergency Management, part 3 20:55 Read by Mary J
FEMA Preparedness 38:47 Read by Shelley Stephen
Communications, part 1 23:07 Read by Maria Kasper
Communications, part 2 20:36 Read by Maria Kasper
Communications, part 3 22:55 Read by Maria Kasper
Communications, part 4 14:47 Read by Maria Kasper
Command and Control, part 1 26:01 Read by MaryAnn
Command and Control, part 2 23:27 Read by MaryAnn
The Military, part 1 15:07 Read by Mary J
The Military, part 2 17:45 Read by Mary J
The Military, part 3 20:58 Read by Mary J
The Military, part 4 21:01 Read by Mary J
The Military, part 5 15:01 Read by Mary J
The Military, part 6 19:04 Read by Mary J
Law Enforcement, part 1 22:10 Read by TriciaG
Law Enforcement, part 2 32:49 Read by TriciaG
Law Enforcement, part 3 18:35 Read by TriciaG
Law Enforcement, part 4 21:45 Read by TriciaG
Medical Care, part 1 34:13 Read by Maria Kasper
Medical Care, part 2 33:34 Read by Maria Kasper
Medical Care, part 3 26:16 Read by Maria Kasper
Medical Care, part 4 30:12 Read by Maria Kasper
Medical Care, part 5 33:57 Read by Maria Kasper
Medical Care, part 6 32:08 Read by Maria Kasper
Shelter and Housing 21:58 Read by Linda Velwest
Logistics and Contracting, part 1 28:49 Read by Maria Kasper
Logistics and Contracting, part 2 30:48 Read by Maria Kasper
Logistics and Contracting, part 3 27:38 Read by Maria Kasper
Charitable Organizations, part 1 19:26 Read by Michele Fry
Charitable Organizations, part 2 28:54 Read by Michele Fry
Conclusion 19:36 Read by Michelle Gray