NEW ORLEANS (AUGUST 14, 2006) – The City of New Orleans has planned Hurricane Katrina memorial activities themed Remembrance, Renewal, and Rebirth on Sunday August 27, 2006 and Tuesday, August 29, 2006. All City events are free and open to the public.


The Chairperson of the Remembrance, Renewal, and Rebirth Committee is Mrs. Seletha Nagin, First Lady of New Orleans.


The Remembrance, Renewal, and Rebirth schedule of activities are as follows:


Sunday, August 27, 2006
Gospel Concert
2nd floor Auditorium, Hall H
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
3 p.m.
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130


The Gospel Concert will reflect on the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, honor the survivors and memorialize the lives that were lost in the catastrophic hurricane through songs of praise and worship. The concert will encourage healing and renewal among the people of the great City of New Orleans as well as the region.


The concert will feature a performance by the One New Orleans Mass Choir and other gospel artists. The One New Orleans Mass Choir is a diverse collection of local gospel choral talent.


Tuesday, August 29, 2006
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Prayer Breakfast and Macedonia Ministry
Asia Baptist Church
8:30 a.m.
1400 Sere Street
New Orleans, LA 70122


Mayor Nagin will be the special guest of Dr. William J. Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., President of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education at a prayer breakfast to pray for the rebuilding of New Orleans.


Ceremonial Bell Ringing and Wreath Laying
City Hall
9:38 a.m.
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112


Mayor Nagin and Mrs. Nagin will be joined by community leaders, elected officials, dignitaries, city employees, and the public at 9:38 a.m. on the front steps of City Hall to ring ceremonial bells signifying the series of levee breaches that occurred throughout the city. Bells will ring for two minutes. (9:38 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.)


Simultaneously, members of the New Orleans City Council will lay wreaths on levees throughout the city.


Dedication Ceremony
Mississippi River Heritage Park
10:30 a.m.
1100 block of Convention Center Boulevard


Mayor Nagin will join City Council President Oliver Thomas and members of the New Orleans City Council, to dedicate a monument titled, “A Place of Remembrance,” at the Mississippi River Heritage Park in remembrance of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.


Citywide Interfaith Service
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Convention Center Auditorium – Hall H, 2nd Floor
12Noon
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130


National, state, and local leaders will reflect and offer inspirational words of encouragement at the Citywide Interfaith Service. Clergy from various religious backgrounds will offer scriptural readings and prayer.


Bishop G.E. Patterson, Presiding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ Inc. and Pastor of Temple of Deliverance Church of God In Christ in Memphis, Tennessee, will deliver the Keynote Address.


2:00 p.m.
One New Orleans Procession
In the tradition of a Jazz Funeral - Convention Center to Superdome


The Traditional New Orleans Jazz Funeral Procession will be a 1.5 mile march, led by Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré, from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to the Louisiana Superdome. The procession will include first responders, national, state and local elected officials, dignitaries, jazz musicians and the community at large.


The traditional jazz funeral procession will honor first responders and the victims of Hurricane Katrina.


A traditional New Orleans Jazz Funeral is a musical tribute honoring the passing of noted members of the community. This cultural ceremony is distinguished by an assemblage of musicians, usually featuring several brass band elements who stage a procession. The procession begins with the playing of the dirge, a slow, mournful, solemn tempo that expresses a somber respect for the deceased. At a certain point, the procession picks up the tempo and energy in celebration of the positive accomplishments of the individual and an acknowledgement of his or her zest for life.


For more information about memorial activities, please e-mail katrinaanniversary@cityofno.com.