MIAMI - The director of the National Hurricane Center , citing pressure from Congress, civil rights activists, and educators, released the list of names assigned to Atlantic basin storms for the 2008 hurricane season. This is the earliest publication of names in the history of the Center, and it comes following a week-end conference between groups representing individuals with non-traditional names, the Secretary of Education, and NHC meteorologists.
“We hope the general public finds these names agreeable,” said Director Bill Read. Mr. Read said the name selection process was made with a particular emphasis on names that would appeal to our nation’s young people. “Studies show that American youth aren’t as interested in science as young people from other countries,” he said. “But maybe by giving names they recognize to the destructive power of a natural disaster, like a hurricane, it will make science “cool.”
Mr. Read pantomimed quotation marks when saying the word “cool.”
The complete list of inclusive, diversity sensitive names for the 2008 hurricane season, as approved by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the National Hurricane Center: Diddy, Biggie, Tupac, Avril, Hannah Montana, J-Lo, LeBron, Zack, Cody, Jonas Brothers, Liberace, Ghost-Face Killa, Drake, Josh, Stewie, Tyra, Maury, Jay-Z, Kanye, and 50 Cent.
