Recommendations and Final Report of the HURRICANE KATRINA MEMORIAL COMMISSION Report to the Louisiana Legislature in response to Act 740 2006 Regular Session May 2007‘TABLE OF CONTENTS I HISTORY OF THE MEMORIAL COMMISSION... ‘1 MEMBERSHIP OF THE MEMORIAL COMMISSION. I], MEETINGS OF THE MEMORIAL COMMISSION...... IV. DELIBERATIONS OF THE COMMITTE! ‘A. General Type and Nature of Memorial B. Site of Memorial. C. Funding V. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION VI. CONCLUSION... APPENDIX ‘Act No. 740 of the 2006 Regular SessionMISSION ‘The Hurricane Katrina Memorial Commission was esablished during the 2006 Regular Session ofthe Louisiana Legislature withthe adopticn the House Bill 1354, which bbecame Act 740, upon signature ofthe Governor. The Commission was established to “make recommendations for an appropriate memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives in Louisiana in Hurricane Katrina.” The Commission terminates December 31, 2007. MISSION Pursuant to Act 740, the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Commission is comprised of ‘sixteen members who were appointed as follows: (2) Four members appointed by the goveror, (@) One member appointed by the liutenant governor, (G) One member appointed by the president ofthe New Orleans City Council (4) One member appointed by the mayor ofthe city of New Orleans; (5) One member appointed by the Jefferson Parish Council; (6 One member appointed by the St. Bemard Parish Council (One member appointed by the Plaquemines Parish Council (6) Three members appointed by the president ofthe Senate; and (9) Three members appointed by the speaker ofthe House of Representatives. ‘The Commission was fortunate to have the participation of state and local government officials, the expertise of architects, professors of art history, clergy, engineers, economic development professionals and community activists, ‘The Members of the Memorial Commission as of Masch 1, 2007, were as follows: Rev. Bob Adams, Pastor Lake Douglas, PhD, First Baptist Church, Bogalusa LA Landseape Architect Senate President appointee Govemor appointee Jay Banks Steve Dumez ‘Community Activist ‘Architect [New Orleans City Council President appointee Governor appointeeProf. Ronald Bechet ‘Alan Gandolf, Interim Director Artist, Xavier University Jefferson Parish Council Office Govemor appointee fof Research & Budget Analysis Jef. Parish Council appointee Emily Campbell Rep. Cheryl Gray Project Manager, ConocoPhillips Lonisiana House District 98 Plaquemines Parish Council appointee House Speaker appointee Rep. Karen Carter Prof. Cheryl Hayes Louisiana House District 93 “Artis, Dillard University House Speaker appoistee Governor appointee Irma Cry Rep. Nita Hutter Business Development Lisison Louisiana House District 104 St Tammany Parish House Speaker appointee Senate President appointee Dr. Peter Dangerfield Nancy Marsiglia, Executive Director Total Community Action Community Activist New Orleans Mayor appointee Lt. Governor appointee Lyan Dean Sen, Ben Nevers, Louisiana St. Bernard Parish Council at Large Senate District 12 St Bemard Parish Council appointee Senate President appointee ‘Act 740 of the 2006 Regular Session charged the Commission with determining the general type and nature of an appropriate state memorial for those who lost their lives in Louisiana as «result of Hurricane Katrina, and to identify an appropriate site or sites for such a ‘memorial. The Commission also researched potential funding sources for such a Memorial IIL. MEETINGS OF THE MEMORIAL COMMISSION ‘The Commission met on the following dates: September 22, 2006; October 25,2006; ‘November 28, 2006; January 17, 2007; and February 28, 2007. On February 7,2007, some _members ofthe Comnission took # tour of the New Orleans Riverfront area.IV. DELIBERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ‘The members ofthe Commission acknowledged that several communities hed already rected markers/memoralsstatutes in thei areas, or were in the planning stages of doing so. While the Commission recognized the need and right ofeach community to commemorate the Joss of life the heroism displayed by citizens and the compassion that was displayed by ‘people across the United States and the world, the members of the Commission belived that it was appropriate forthe State to move forward in developing a Hurricane Katrina Memorial. ‘A. General Type and Nature of Memorial “Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster on American soil. One thousand four ‘hundred sixty-four (1,464) lives were los, over two hundred thousand (200,000) homes destroyed, 41% of Louisiana's businesses were severely disrupted, and there were 40 Billion dollars in insured losses. ‘What would make an appropriate memorial to commemorate this event? We discussed various options: memorial, monument, marker, mausoleum, museurn, ora statue. Is the goal 0 ‘educate people about hurricanes, coastal erosion or life in southeastem Louisiana? Should the ‘memorial be similar tothe Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? ‘The Commis spoke with Dr. Frank Minyard, Orleans Parish Coroner, about ‘combining ou efforts for a memorial as he was facing the real likelihood that there were bodies that might not be identified or claimed and the state would be responsible for their burial. The ‘option to join with Dr. Minyard’s initiative was discussed, and it was the consensus that this, ‘option would not be pursued. We discussed whether or not the Memorial should be a place of reflection, interpretation 5rbot? Did we want rete a Memorial like the Vietnam Wall or the Holocaust Museum? ‘Who are we honoring withthe memorial - the dead, thelving, ist responders relief workers and ‘olunteers? Given the breadth ofthe disaster is the memorial or monument single objet or multiple objects? “Toles answer these questions, the Commission members decided to develop a Mision Statement, and the Comission reviewed mission statements from the Tsunami Memorial ‘Competition, the World Trade CenterSite Memorial Competition, and the Pentagon Memorial, ‘Competition. After several drafts the Commission agreed on the following Mission Stalement: Mission Statement The State of Louisiana aims to: Develop a place where the memory ofthose who were lost during Herricane Katrina, and the spirit of those who survived can be acknowledged and celebrated. Develop a place that expresses gratitude for the compassion and support which flowed _fromall parts of the world. Gratitude will be expressed for those who risked ther live to rescue ‘those in danger, for those who provided financial assistance to help victims recover from loss of possessions; for those who provided emotional assistance to bereaved and distressed persons; and for those who continue to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina recover Develor a place of contemplation and education that encourages visitors to learn ofthe vastness, severity and diversity ofthe devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, and challenges visitors fo understand the causes of this event in order to seck ways to prevent such disasters in the future.B. Site of Memorial ‘The location ofa site or sites for the Memorial was one ofthe most difficult diseusions of the Commission. Osleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Cameron, Caleaseu, St. ‘Tammany, and Washirgion parishes were ll damaged by Hurricane Katrina andthe failure of the levees. The conversation started with which city or parish to locate the memorial in, but ‘eventually ed to questions regarding the possibilty of multiple components of one memorial, nd ‘how to ensure that each community's story i told, regardless ofthe actual site ofthe memorial ‘The members ofthe Ccmmission believed that t was important to identify the best opportunity to reach the most people in order to educate them sbout what happened in Louisiena during. Hurricane Katrina, to celebrate those who survived and continue to rebuild, and to demenstrate satitude to those who supported and continue to support the people of Louisiana. ‘The Commission discussed placing amemorial in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. Berard and Plaquemines. After much debate, it was decided that New Orleans would be the most appropriate place forthe Memorial. Several sites within the city were considered: City Park, the ‘New Orleans Riverfont, the University of New Orleans are, possible Brownfield sites within ‘New Orleans, city and state owned property within New Orleans. After a tour ofthe Riverfont area and further discussion by the Commission the majority ofthe Commission members support ‘the Port of Emberkation as the fret choice for the site of the Memorial, Located on the [Mississippi River, and:n the heart of New Orleans, the sites easily accessible for large mambers ‘of people, both residens of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Katrina and those who come tothe city from outside the stte. The Riverfont i a destination for those coming to vist the Memorial ‘and a landmark to be identified by official tours in New Orleans; in addition, itis visuallyaccessible to those who are simply passingby. Its presence on the banks of the Mississippi River provides an opportunity for the Memorial to be enhanced by the power, history and mystique of | “The River”. There is also the possibility that this site could be donated for use asa Memorial by the Navy, C. Funding ‘The Commission realizes thatthe funding needed for the Katrina Memorial will be significant. The Commission researched ways that other memorials related to rocent tragic events hhave been funded. In particular, the Commission looked a the Pentagon Memorial (Washington, DC), the World Trade Center Memorial (New York City and the Oklahoma City Memorial. Our research found that Congress made'an appropriation toward each memorial. We were unable to ascertain the exact amount provided for the Pentagon Memorial, since itis embedded in the Department of Defense's budget. According to Swany Chough at the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, the World Trade Memorial hes received around two hundred and fifty million dollars ($20,000,000) in Federal funding for the memorial. ‘The Oklahoma City Memorial received about five million dollars ($5,000,000) in Federal sid for @ memorial. The aid was granted with the understanding that the amount would be ‘matched by state and/or local funds. The Oklahoma City Memorial fund also received an ‘addtional five million dollars ($5,000,000) in federal Funding in 2006, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. This money was also granted on the condition that sate and local funds would be available as a match tothe federal funds. ‘The members of the Commission believe that it will be possible to raise funds inthe private sector. However, the State's financial commitment is necessary to obtain a federalppropiation, as well as, the financial commitment of the private sector, The Commission _ndersunds thatthe Governor and Legisltur are under great pressure to provide forthe needs of Louisiana citizen as they rebuild and move forward, However, the Commission members ‘eievethe Huricane Katrina Memorial should be viewed as apart ofthe move toward brighter future for Louisiana ‘The members of the Comission developed a Stasment of Value to express why a Memoril isan important financial commitment forthe State Statement of Value ‘The Huricane Katrina Memorial Commission will sk that a considerable emount ‘of money be committed tothe construction and maintenance of a State of Louisiena "uurricase Katrina Memorial. Why should funds already in short supply, be spent on this cndeaver when there are houses, busineses and communities yet strugelingto recover? ‘The answer is simple: the restoration of hope, the assuaging of grief, the resgaition of profoud loss, and the expression of gratitude ae as essential to recovery as rebuilding structures and organizations. Ina most baie sense the restoration ofthe human spirit must precede the restoration of outward structures, if those outward sutures areto be significant and lastng. Evidence ofthe primacy ofthese needs canbe seen inthe memorials already created by individuals and local communities. Even inthe early days ofthis disaster, when “commusiies were far more desolate than they are now and people had muck less, memorials were created, In those days, even with pressing needs for shelter and food, the human spirit ‘had to give expression tits pain and its hope, Some of those memorials were obvious and ‘intentional - small spaces set aside bya person ora community. Many of the memorials were ‘not so obvious, et just as powerful: telling and retelling of storm stories, prayer gatherings,‘memorial services, and more. It is now of great importance that we create a memorial that can speak to all the people of our state. Investment inthis memorial isan investment inthe power ‘of hope, the sacredness of grief, and the loveliness of gratitude. \V. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ‘The Hurricane Katrina Memorial Commission makes the following recommendations: 1. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial be completed by August 29, 2010. To accomplish this recommendation, the following timetable is recommended: June 2007 - select project administrators, develop program and RFP. ’. June 2007 - August 2007 — complete RFP and designer selection process, identify finalsite selection. ‘August 2007 - January 2008 — select designer and complete contract for services, secure memorial site. 4. January 2008 ~ January 2009 — complete design and bid specifications for memorial ‘construction, final funding in place. . January 2009 - April 2009 ~ bid or negotiate construction cortract, construction start, {April 2009 - August 2010 ~ complete construction phase, memorial opening 2. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial project be administered by an organization experienced in public art administration, Either a local arts organization or the States public art program, located in the Division of the Acts 3. Appropriate representatives ofthe State of Louisiana seek Federal appropriation forthe Hurricane Katrina Memorial. 4, The State of Louisiana make an appropriation to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, beginning with a $500,000 Capital Uutlay appropriation inthe 2008 budget. 5. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial be placed in New Orleans. 6. The Port of Embarkation be considered asthe fist option forthe ste of the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, 7. A.non-profit organization (501(c\(3) or foundation solicit funds and become the oversight board for the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, 10‘VL CONCLUSION ‘The Commission recommends an aggressive timetable in order to have an opening of the Hurricane Katrina Memorial by 2010. This will require « quick response and immediate support by the Governor and the Louisiana Legislature. Only Oklahoma City was able to meet its S* year anniversary deadline ‘The next months are critical to make the Memorial a reality. The Commission recommendation ofa $500,000 capital outlay appropriation to begin the planning of the ‘Memorial must occur inthis Legislative session, The development ofa non-profit to oversee the project and begin fund raising should also be done before the start of the summer. The Huricane Katrina Memorial is the state's opportunity to turn our story of devastation and loss into a story of determination, hope and faith. n