Kentucky helps Japan

          Where were you when the massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan? For the most part, Americans were living life unaffected. However, Steve Riggs, a Kentucky representative was giving his best effort in persuading Kentuckians to provide a helping hand to Japan by encouraging donations from Kentuckians, donating a substancial amount himself and askig troops to help them clean up the disaster.

            On March 11, 2011, Japan suffered from an earthquake and tsunami that caused a great amount of hardship to the country. Along with the economic inconveniences and loss of resources, the fatality rate was extremely high. A likelihood of 10,000 people died as a result of this disaster and 17,443 are still missing according to the New York Times.  

            Kentucky representative Steve Riggs is in charge of the Jefferson County jurisdiction, House District 31. He has served under this position since 1991 until present. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and pursued a career in insurance sales before obtaining his position in the house.

            Representative Riggs is making an effort in helping form relief groups in Kentucky to support the natural disaster that Japan is experiencing. He has developed relief groups throughout the state of Kentucky with hopes that people will follow his example and lend a comforting hand to the situation.

            A local news station, WKYT, provided Kentuckians with a brief comment from Rep. Riggs. He stated, “Kentucky has an especially close relationship with Japan because of our many economic ties, highlighted by the fact that about 150 of their companies provide more than 31,000 jobs here in the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Riggs, D-Jeffersontown. “We also have a storied history of reaching out to help others in time of need, as we did a little more than a year ago following Haiti’s devastating earthquake. I’m sponsoring this resolution to give our citizens suggestions on what, exactly, they can do.” 

        Rep. Riggs has provided the state with information on why it is so important to reach out in this hard time. Also Rep. Riggs stated to WKYT that he also “would like to see us do something through state government, because a crisis of this magnitude needs as much support as possible. That could include possibly having Governor Beshear make a request to the federal government to consider utilizing our Kentucky National Guard as well as having state agencies coordinating local volunteer efforts. Either of these, but preferably both, could really make a difference.”

            When asking Sgt. Daniel Fugitt, a member of the Kentucky Nation Guard what he thought about contributing to the relief groups he stated, “I think that helping such a great cause would be very life-changing and beneficial to us. We need to be there to support our fellow countries as they support us.”

            Rep. Riggs also mentioned that humanitarian organizations such  as the United Methodist Committee on Relief, International Red Cross and Doctors without Borders have already been established and are making efforts to help Japan in every way they can. More information about these groups can be found by calling 502-209-9630.

            The Japanese-American Society of Kentucky is collecting money for the relief of the earthquake and tsunami. Although money is greatly needed, Rep. Riggs has also encouraged the Kentucky Blood Center to promote giving blood to send to Japan. This is a good way to help provide help without making it financially inconvenient for Kentuckians. Donors will receive T-Shirts that are in support of the Japanese relief efforts. All of the money will be donated to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Rep. Riggs is making an effort to provide support to the devastation in the country and let Japan know that Kentucky is greatly supporting them through these hard times.