NSPA Overcomes Hurricane, Adopts New Name

Though the weather during the three-day event was clear, temperatures were surprisingly cold (to the shock of a certain magazine editor who neglected to bring a jacket). The group's dinner outing on a paddleboat cruise of the Mississippi River was a chilly, though lively, affair.

Tucker addressed his opening remarks to 36 government attendees from 20 states. He was joined at the podium by a grateful Senator Doug E. Davis, of the Mississippi State Senate, who thanked NSPA for keeping the conference in his state. He detailed the devastation wrought by Katrina, as well as the state's efforts to rebound and rebuild.