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City Council honors ‘Soul Patrol’ rescuers from Hurricane Katrina and donates educational copies of new book
Summary
The council presented proclamations to members and families of the ‘Soul Patrol,’ a group of community rescuers active after Hurricane Katrina, and discussed a book-donation and school reading program tied to remembrance and education.
The New Orleans City Council presented proclamations honoring members of the “Soul Patrol,” a group of neighborhood rescuers who pulled residents from flooded homes after Hurricane Katrina. The council recognized living members and posthumously acknowledged deceased members in front of dozens of attendees and the Soul Patrol delegation.
Councilmember Thomas read proclamations that thanked the group for volunteer rescue work when official first responders were delayed and noted both the personal losses and the ongoing trauma borne by rescuers and survivors. Earl Barthe Jr., who identified himself as a member of the Soul Patrol from the Seventh Ward, described the group’s efforts, saying the members “stepped up to the plate when there was nobody else.” He also recounted the personal cost to some volunteers who lost family members during the storm.
Why it matters: Council remarks framed the recognition as part of ongoing community remembrance of Katrina’s 20th anniversary and highlighted the civic role played by neighborhood rescuers who operated without formal authority during the storm’s immediate aftermath.
The council also announced a community literacy initiative tied to the commemoration: an author donated 100 copies of a new book, 10 True Tales: Heroes of Hurricane Katrina, for use in a national reading program coordinated with McDonogh 35 High School. Councilmembers invited colleagues to attend the school event scheduled in two to three weeks.
Councilmembers and attendees stressed the mental-health impacts and long-term trauma associated with Katrina, and urged continued public recognition of volunteer rescuers. The proclamation text listed named Soul Patrol members to be recognized, including Earl Barthe Jr., Ortegas Coleman, Jadel Beard, Dwight Boudreaux, Thomas Peters, Richard Matthew Sr., Emmanuel Matthew Hatu, Edwin Bothay Jr., and Steven Matthew. Several speakers asked that proclamations for deceased members be delivered to family members.
The council paused for photos and encouraged community involvement in upcoming remembrance and educational events tied to the anniversary.
