“Speak As One Voice,” Bob Kerrey Counsels Louisiana

On October 27, 2005, Louisiana’s entire education community — from PreK to universities — came together for an historic Education Forum in Baton Rouge at the Claiborne Building. The theme of the forum was “Rebuilding Louisiana Through Education,” and participants discussed how education could help lead Louisiana’s recovery efforts from two devastating hurricanes, Katrina and Rita.

In his keynote remarks, former Nebraska senator and governor Bob Kerrey encouraged Louisiana and its education community to “speak as one voice” and unify the state’s efforts to secure federal aid and other resources needed in the recovery. Mr. Kerrey counseled the participants from his unique blend of experience and expertise, both as a university president (now serves as President of The New School in New York City) and as a former member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission), which examined the terrorist attacks and aftermath of September 11, 2001.

The forum was co-moderated by Sara James , Emmy-award winning correspondent for Dateline NBC, and by Kim Hunter Reed, Director of Policy and Planning for the Louisiana Governor’s Office. The event was hosted by the Louisiana Board of Regents, University of Louisiana System, Louisiana State University System, Southern University System, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Louisiana Department of Education and the Virtue Foundation, a charitable organization that supports education initiatives worldwide.