11/07/2005

Thune Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Gulf Coast Recovery Act TOMORROW

WASHINGTON, DC—The Superfund and Waste Management Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, chaired by Senator John Thune, will hold a hearing Tuesday, November 8, to discuss the Gulf Coast Recovery Act, Thune’s legislation that would provide liability protection to contractors hired by the government to aid with disaster relief efforts, such as the Hurricane Katrina recovery.

In the past—specifically, disaster relief efforts in New York City immediately following September 11th—contractors have been the target of trial lawyers and others attempting to profit during emergency conditions. Thune’s legislation would shield contractors from unjust lawsuits so they are encouraged to continue to provide much-needed assistance in the wake of recent and future disasters without fear of facing burdensome lawsuits following their efforts.

“In the wake of a large-scale disaster like Katrina, the expertise and hard work private contractors can provide is invaluable,” Thune said. “But unfortunately, there are many contractors today who would like to help on the Gulf Coast, but are hesitant to do so for fear of becoming targets for major lawsuits—similar to those filed against post-9/11 contractors.

“The men and women working to restore 90,000 square miles of America’s Gulf Coast already face enough obstacles and challenges without the added burden of unjust lawsuits. The Gulf Coast Recovery Act would limit the liability that contractors aiding in Katrina relief efforts and future disaster recovery efforts face, so they can continue to assist with clean-up, repair and reconstruction in a quick and efficient manner.”

The Gulf Coast Recovery Act was introduced by Senator Thune and co-sponsored by Senators Vitter (R-LA), Lott (R-MS), Murkowski (R-AK), Inhofe (R-OK), Santorum (R-PA), DeMint (R-SC), Stevens (R-AK), and Enzi (R-WY).

Subcommittee hearing details:

Event: Superfund and Waste Management Subcommittee Hearing on the Impact of Government Contractor Liability Proposals on Environmental Laws

Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Location: 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Witnesses:

PANEL I
Major General Don T. Riley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

PANEL II
Tony Zelenka, President, Bertucci Contracting Corporation, Jefferson, LA; Dr. Beverly Wright, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice; Warren Perkins, VP, Risk Management, Boh Brothers Construction; Michael Feigin, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Bovis Lend Lease Holdings, Inc.; Dr. Joel Shufro, Executive Director, New York Committee for Occupational Health and Safety (NYCOSH)

PANEL III
Craig King, Government Contracts Attorney; Professor Steve Schooner, George Washington University Law School; Paul Becker, President, Willis Construction Practice