Post reveals Halliburton sponsored summit to divide Katrina relief

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" Zepp " <zepp

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 22:17:25 -0700

[Zepps_News] Post reveals Halliburton sponsored summit to

divide Katrina relief

 

 

 

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Post_reveals_Halliburton_sponsored_summit_to_divid\

e_Katrina_re_0927.html

Post reveals Halliburton sponsored summit to divide Katrina relief

 

 

 

RAW STORY

 

Hallliburton sponsored a " Katrina Reconstruction Summit, " hosted by Sen.

Mel Martinez (R-FL), aimed at offering the company and lobbyists a

chance to push " private sector involvement " in the distribution of

Katrina reconstruction funds, RAW STORY has learned.

 

The story, by Dana Milbank in Tuesday's Washington Post, was caught by

Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall. Excerpts from the Post.

 

As fiscal hawks surrendered, would-be government contractors were

meeting in the Hart Senate Office Building to figure out how to get a

share of the money. A " Katrina Reconstruction Summit, " hosted by Sen.

Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and sponsored by Halliburton, among others,

brought some 200 lobbyists, corporate representatives and government

staffers to a room overlooking the Capitol for a five-hour conference

that included time for a " networking break " and advice on " opportunities

for private sector involvement. "

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Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) sent his budget director,

Bill Hoagland, who cautioned that federal Katrina spending might not

exceed $100 billion. But John Clerici, from a law firm that helped

sponsor the event, told the group that spending would " probably be

larger " than $200 billion. " It's going to be spent in a fast and furious

way, " Clerici said.

 

Sipping coffee from china cups and munching on doughnuts, the corporate

crowd heard Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging

Association, predict: " I think we'll see Mardi Gras in New Orleans to

some extent this year. "

 

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