Katrina destroyed so many lives and homes," said Adams, a 25-year veteran teacher and member of the United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO), "but we cannot allow post-Katrina policies to destroy the hope and opportunity that public schools represent. Adams and other educators and students who testified at the hearing urged the lawmakers to get more federal money to New Orleans to help rebuild and reopen schools, buy new equipment, rehire staff and cover Healthcare costs for laid-off employees.