| June 22, 2006 - (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter offered an amendment to the Senate Defense Authorization Bill that was accepted and included in the bill passed by the U.S. Senate today. “While the National Guard and military troops deployed during Hurricane Katrina last year saved lives and provided necessary food, water, shelter and care to many hurricane victims, it would have been more efficient if the emergency supplies were pre-positioned prior to the storm,” said Vitter. “This amendment will help the military provide a more rapid response in the case of future disasters.” Vitter’s amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense to develop procedures and guidelines for the pre-positioning of basic response assets, such as medical supplies, communications equipment and food and water at locations around the United States to improve the Department of Defense response to natural disasters and national emergencies. “We are already in this year’s hurricane season and it is critical that we learn from the past. By having military assets pre-positioned, we will be better prepared to assist and serve our citizens,” Vitter said. The National Guard and military troops and assets deployed during Katrina constituted one of the nation’s largest domestic deployments of military assets since the Civil War. Although the Department of Defense’s preparations for Hurricane Katrina were consistent with its procedures and prior practices, a government report found they were not sufficient for a storm of Katrina’s magnitude. |
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