Assemblyman Leland Yee: We Need to Help Our Friends

Editor's Note: This column was submitted before the tsunamis hit Asia at the end of December.

Natural disasters and extreme weather - from quakes and floods to some of the worst typhoons in decades - claimed 4,000 lives and left a $22 billion trail of destruction across Asia in 2004. As you know, the Republic of the Philippines was most recently devastated by a series of typhoons, which resulted in massive floods and landslides in several regions of that nation. The disasters have claimed the lives of more than 900 people and left tens of thousands of people homeless. 

The Republic of the Philippines and the State of California share a long history and maintain strong ties due to the large population of Filipino Americans residing here.  Filipinos are great friends of the United States, having come to our aid during World War II, making great sacrifices in that cause. Over the past few weeks, I have told several members of the press in San Francisco and San Mateo County, as well as my colleagues in Sacramento, that it is important that when our comrades in the Philippines need our help, we respond as friends.

Recently, I joined Philippine Consulate General Maria Rowena M. Sanchez to launch a campaign to help those in need.  To kick-off this effort, I donated $1,000 to the Philippine Children's Fund of America, one of the organizations assisting families suffering from this latest event. This particular fund has agreed to contribute a matching donation of $10,000.

In the spirit of the holiday season and this time of thanksgiving, please join me in assisting the children and families of the Philippines recover from these tragic events. You can make your donation to the Philippine Children's Fund of America at 55 New Montgomery St., Suite 606, SF, CA, 94105. In-kind donations may be sent to the Consulate General's office, 447 Sutter St., sixth floor, SF, CA 94108.

As we lend a hand to help our families and friends in the Philippines, let us also consider why these tragic events took place. Unfortunately, for years the Philippines has been overwhelmed by massive deforestation. As a result, when natural disasters hit the Republic the loss is often catastrophic - flooding is greater and landslides more extreme. These events should serve as a wake-up call to the world in how we treat our environment. If we continue to ignore these warning signs, our own fate may soon turn tragic.

I thank you for helping our friends in need.

"Blood Donor Month"
Many people are not aware that blood is needed every day. That is why I am working to educate the public about the constant need for blood donations during "National Volunteer Blood Donor Month" this January.

Every day, approximately 40,000 units of blood are used for patients throughout the country. A donor can give blood every 56 days. To be eligible to donate blood, a person must generally be at least 17 years of age, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. The entire donation process takes about an hour and the body can replenish donated blood within 24 hours.

Leland Yee is the speaker pro tempore at the California Assembly, representing District 12.