The Braintrust entitled “Can You Hear Me Now: Did Katrina Knock out the Power?” will feature a diverse panel of leading experts in the fields of socio-economic policy, emergency preparedness and technology. The panel will be moderated by National Public Radio’s Ed Gordon and include Harry Alford, President and CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Margaret C. Simms, Vice President for Governance and Economic Analysis, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; Laurie Lipper, Co-Founder/ Co-President, Children’s Partnership Organization; Rey Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer, One Economy; and Deborah Lathen, President, Lathen Consulting, LLC.

 “We have a responsibility in Congress to update our nation’s antiquated telecommunications laws and infrastructure to ensure that our most vulnerable are not only protected during times of disaster, but are connected during times of prosperity,” Congressman Towns said. “The Hurricane Katrina catastrophe offers Congress, the Administration and relevant agencies the chance to address the glaring disparities between the haves and have-nots in accessibility of basic and advanced communications services.”

“Congress must remove legislative and regulatory barriers so that small businesses can have access to advanced services at affordable prices so that they can compete on-line nationally and globally,” Harry Alford said.

In addition to focusing on the need for Congress to be more proactive with regard to telecommunications reform, Congressman Towns is using the discussion as the foundation for developing a national platform that addresses the need to eliminate communications technology disparities within communities of color.  Currently, no major African American organizations have put forth a list of basic standards the community wants to see as the reorganization of telecommunications laws are debated in Congress this session.

"Our experience working across the United States on telecommunications issues for traditionally under-served communities has made clear the need for the African American community to take a more aggressive stance to guarantee that members of all segments of society have the tools they need to compete in an increasingly technology-rich, knowledge-based economy. Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the need to extend the reach of technology into all communities in the United States with an intentional effort to make sure that the benefits of technology extend to poor people directly," Rey Ramsey said.

Laurie Lipper stated, “Opportunities today -- whether in education, health care or jobs -- are increasingly tied to access to digital technology. Children who don¹t have these tools are from predominately minority and low-income families. Katrina offers a chance to set out a digital opportunity agenda and rebuild in a way that connects ALL the children in a community to a future with these greatly enhanced possibilities."

The panelists will also focus on the need for advancements in emergency preparedness.

"Hurricane Katrina has exposed the weak links not only in our telecommunications systems and emergency preparedness, but also in our society," said Dr. Margaret Simms of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "Because African Americans are more geographically separated than other groups in this country, diffusion of broadband service into their communities would not only provide access for individuals, but also to community-based institutions that serve the African American community and bolster its economic base." 

The Joint Center will be releasing a report exploring the extent to which African Americans have participated in the Internet revolution and the advantages some of the more recent advances such as broadband, could offer to the African American community.

“I hope after this discussion people will remain engaged in this issue. Telecommunications is more than cable and phone service; it is about daily survival and our ability to function effectively in all situations.  I am committed to redoubling my efforts to ensure that Congress updates its laws so that communications can become a “bridge of access and not a barrier of exclusion,” said Congressman Towns.

###