GOV. BLANCO TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE KATRINA COMMITEE

Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco confers with Col. Jeff Smith (Ret.), deputy director of the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, testify before the House Select Hurricane Katrina Committee to discuss the preparedness and response by Louisiana to the disaster on December 14, 2005, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Blanco defended the state and local reaction and made a plea for help in rebuilding the state and city of New Orleans. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg)