LANSING–No one can forget the images of devastation left by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When it seemed desperation and chaos were taking over New Orleans, one man restored order and hope – Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré. On Jan. 21, Honoré was the featured speaker during WMU-Cooley Law School’s Equal Access to Justice Day’s virtual program, “The New Normal: Leadership and Preparedness in the 21st Century: Pandemic and Political Unrest.”
Honoré, tapped by Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to lead a review of the security infrastructure after the U.S. Capitol attack, shared leadership lessons as well as the benefits of developing a culture of preparedness. He discussed the essential qualities that 21st century leaders need: decision superiority, along with the ability to see first, understand first, and act first. Honoré said there are two sides to any disaster. He added that, waiting until disaster hits before you respond - is only dealing with the "right side." He advocated that leaders need to proactively deal with the "left side"-- before disaster strikes.
As to the job Honoré will take on in Washington, D.C., he said, “My job for Speaker Pelosi is to make sure the systems and infrastructure in place is such that our capitol does not get penetrated, like it did, by any group in the future. All the tools were there to protect the Capitol. They were not used.”
In answer to a question about economic disparity and strategic change, Honoré said, “I think the number one thing we can do is to fully fund pre-K through 12th grade.” He continued, “We need to get serious about every child getting to go to a good school ... We can equalize every child in America, if we provide equal opportunity in education.”
Honoré concluded by saying, “We need you, need good lawyers, and we need to make that Constitution work, but we need to make that Constitution work for everybody. And, just because it’s law, doesn’t mean it is right. Which means you got to go change the law. And, we have some laws that need to be changed. And that is the power of what you and your skills and knowledge and abilities have to do. Which one of these are you going to be the Thurgood Marshall on - to try and create change?”
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