Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – Stan Tiner, executive editor of the Biloxi Sun Herald, was at the Clinton School Friday night and gave an excellent presentation about Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Like Marie Tillman earlier in the week, Stan also received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks. Even with Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, his newspaper didn’t miss a day of circulation and kept its 121-year record of not missing a day in tact. Stan gave copies of the Sun Herald’s post Katrina coverage to the Clinton School. While New Orleans has received far more national and international media attention, Stan’s presentation clearly documented the tragedy that the Mississippi Gulf Coast faced and still faces today.
Several of our students were present including some from Mississippi and others who had been Katrina volunteers. Stan was very generous with the time he spent with them. As I have previously noted, having access to people like Stan and other Clinton School guests is one of the unique advantages of being a Clinton School student.
C-Span filmed Stan’s presentation. So look for it over the next several days.
Since Katrina had such an impact on our region of the country, we at the Clinton School plan to commemorate its anniversary with an annual program. Last year, for the first anniversary, we had Little Rock native and Associated Press photographer Alex Brandon of New Orleans with us. During Katrina, Alex was with the New Orleans Times Picayune.
As I said last night in introducing Stan, we at the Clinton School honor those who weathered the storm and pay tribute to those who didn’t. Let’s hope we never see another hurricane like it. Though, as Stan pointed out, the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is higher now than it was during Katrina.
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