Washington DC - Hurricane Katrina landed August 29, 2005, five months later, Katrina evacuees are still unsettled and up in the air. Once again, Katrina victims who relied on the professionalism and responsibility of the federal government to plan for such disasters are now being thrown in the eye of another storm.

To assist in bringing direct action and service to the people who need it most, and the communities that have opened their doors to them, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney will host a Katrina Town Hall Meeting Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, from 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. at Georgia Perimeter College-Clarkston Campus, in the Jim Cherry Learning Center Auditorium, located at 555 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021.

Katrina evacuees and other concerned constituents will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to representatives from the following agencies: Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA); US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); The US Small Business Administration - Disaster Relief Division (SBA); attorneys who have been focused on the legal rights of Hurricane Katrina evacuees; and a representative from the Insurance Information Institute.

Katrina relief remains a hot topic, as a result of recent Senate and Congressional hearings. Reports reveal the White House's refusal to release relevant administration documents that should have been publicly disclosed.   New information points to a failure in federal government response, specifically with diverging from the National Response Plan. Some documents also uncovered evidence of inept leadership from the Homeland Security Secretary, and a complete breakdown of communication between federal, local and state agencies.

The meeting will address insurance, housing and other pressing concerns facing displaced evacuees trying to rebuild their lives. Invited panelists will provide information on their responsibilities and current agency updates, which will be followed by a Q&A. It is estimated that 10,000-12,000 displaced Katrina evacuees now reside in DeKalb County, with over 40,000 evacuees in the Atlanta Metro area alone.

States Congresswoman McKinney.  "What struck me the most was the blatant disregard of one of the greatest natural and national disasters ever to hit U.S. shores. The President reconfirmed that for me, when he failed to address the serious concerns of all Americans with regard to the Katrina relief efforts and a realistic plan for the Gulf Coast Region during his State of the Union Speech this week. Failing to address the fact that thousands of Americans will be left homeless in the upcoming weeks is unacceptable. America has been punched in the face, and the black eye can be seen all over the Gulf
Coast."

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