TULANE TALK

February 3, 2006

Good Morning:

Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” This weekend I had the opportunity to join Tulane law students in thanking representatives from more than 20 law schools around the country who hosted our students in the aftermath of Katrina.

The thank you, which was dubbed “Pro Bono Publico: An Expression of Gratitude and Renewal,” included an evening of reflection on Katrina, a panel discussion featuring city and state leaders instrumental in the response to Katrina, a bus tour of New Orleans and an opportunity for participants to work on a community service project.

The community service project was Tulaneís “Paint Rally for New Orleans Schools,” just one of the many events in which the Tulane community is helping bring our city back to life. On this weekend, and indeed, on every weekend since August 29, I have been so proud and grateful to be a part of this wonderful Tulane community and this wonderful city. In addition to their work at the paint rally, many of the visiting students are already making plans to return to volunteer and others are initiating their own letter-writing campaigns to Congress regarding New Orleans’ needs.

This weekendís events were topped off with “An Evening of Louisiana Revelry,” featuring local food and music. I know we are all looking, and working, toward the day when that, and not Katrina, is the first thing people think of when they hear the words, “New Orleans.”