Gregoire highlights success of Washington-Japan Relief Effort

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2011

Gov. Chris Gregoire will speak tonight at 7 p.m. during The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington�s annual dinner at the Bell Harbor Conference Center. Her remarks will highlight the close ties between Washington state and Japan and the success of the Washington state-Japan Relief Effort.

�Since the disaster, Washington residents and businesses have donated more than $25 million in cash and assistance to help the people of Japan recover from this disaster,� Gregoire said. �I want to express my sincere gratitude to companies and individuals who gave what they could to help our family members, friends and others in Japan.�

In the week after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Washington businesses and residents donated $7 million in cash and assistance to disaster relief. When Gregoire launched the effort, she challenged the state�s residents and businesses to give another $7 million to disaster relief. In the subsequent three weeks, Washington businesses and individuals far exceeded the governor�s goal by donating $18 million more in cash and assistance.

�The people of Japan and Washington state are bound by friendship, economic interests and cultural ties,� Gregoire said. �Recovery from this tragedy will take years, yet I know the strength and resiliency of the Japanese people will triumph over any challenge.�

Washington�s economic and cultural ties with Japan are strong. Japan is Washington�s third-largest export market, with the state importing $14 billion in trade from the nation. Three dozen Washington cities have sister cities in Japan. The Hyogo Prefecture is Washington�s sister state.