SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS ANNOUNCES COUNTYWIDE RELIEF EFFORT TO AID VICTIMS OF TSUNAMI DISASTER IN SAMOA
The County of Los Angeles is home to approximately 12,800 Samoans, many of whom reside in the Second and Fourth Supervisorial Districts
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Calling the powerful tsunami that devastated the islands of American Samoa and Samoa a tragedy felt in Los Angeles County, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today announced plans for a countywide relief effort.
The Supervisor said he will join Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Knabe on Tuesday, to ask the Board to designate the American Red Cross as the non-profit organization through which the public and the County’s 100,000-plus employees can make donations to assist those affected by the disaster.
“On behalf of my colleague, Supervisor Don Knabe, we encourage all Los Angeles County residents and employees to consider making a donation through the American Red Cross or any other viable entity,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said.
The Supervisor made his announcement during a news conference at the United Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Carson, where he joined leaders of the Samoan community prior to a prayer vigil for victims of the tsunami.
Los Angeles County is home to nearly 13,000 Samoans, more than any county in the nation. Many reside in Supervisor Ridley-Thomas’ Second District and Supervisor Knabe’s Fourth District.
On Tuesday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 occurred in the Pacific Ocean near the Tongan and Fiji Islands. The earthquake generated a powerful tsunami, drastically affecting several villages on the islands of American Samoa and Samoa. Hundreds of people were killed and untold others are missing.
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Carson Press Conference - October 1, 2009
