Former FEMA director defends his actions over Hurricane Katrina

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Michael Brown, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is blaming government officials in Louisiana and New Orleans for the slow response in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. During testimony before a special House panel, Brown also placed blame on the White House.

Jonathan White, executive director of the Homeland Defense Initiative and terrorism expert at Grand Valley State University, was tapped by the federal government after Sept. 11, 2001, to travel the country briefing government and law enforcement agencies on international terrorism. He also travels overseas on behalf of the U.S. government in the on-going fight against terrorism.

White wrote a chapter on FEMA in his book "Defending the Homeland." He can comment on the organizational structure of FEMA and what's next for the agency.

White can be reached at:
Office: 616-331-7243
Cell: 616-460-5916
E-mail: [email protected]

For more information, contact Grand Valley News and Information Services at 616-331-2221.