[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8303-S8304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 1306. A bill to introduce the efforts of the California Missions 
Foundation to restore and repair the Spanish colonial and mission-era 
missions in the State of California and to preserve the artworks and 
artifacts of these missions, and for other purposes; to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing a bill 
today that will provide the necessary resources to protect the 21 
historic California missions for future generations. I am pleased to be 
joined in this effort by my colleague from California, Senator 
Feinstein.
  The California missions represent some of our Nation's oldest 
historical treasures. Furthermore, they are important illustrations of 
the historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the State of 
California. Yet, until recently, little had been done to preserve the 
missions and their artifacts. They are in dire need of structural 
repair and restoration.
  The California missions are the most visited historic attractions in 
the State, drawing more than 5 million tourists a year. The missions 
also serve an important role in educating our children in the history 
and the early settlement in California. We must make restoration and 
protection of the missions a priority.
  In 1998, the California Missions Foundation, a charitable 
corporation, was established in the State of California to fund the 
restoration and repair of the California missions and the preservation 
of the Spanish colonial and mission-era artworks and artifacts of the 
California missions. The Foundation is leading a statewide campaign to 
raise funds to repair the missions and preserve their precious artworks 
and artifacts. But they need help.
  My legislation would provide $10 million for the restoration of the 
California missions through a Department of the Interior grant program 
to be administered over 5 years. These funds would supplement the 
private and State funds that have been dedicated to preservation of the 
missions.
  The House version of the bill has been introduced by Representatives 
Sam Farr and David Dreier. It has the support of a majority of the 
California congressional delegation. It is my hope that this 
legislation can move forward quickly, so we can restore and protect 
these national treasures.

[[Page S8304]]

  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:
       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

        This Act may be cited as the ``California Missions 
     Preservation Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

        Congress finds the following:
       (1) The California missions represent some of our Nation's 
     oldest historical treasures.
       (2) The first of the California missions was founded in 
     1769, and eventually a chain of 21 missions and various sub-
     missions extended along the coast of California on El Camino 
     Real.
       (3) The California missions contribute greatly to the rich 
     historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of 
     California and the American West.
       (4) The knowledge and cultural influence of native 
     California Indians made a lasting contribution to the early 
     settlement of California and the development of the 
     California missions.
       (5) More than 5,300,000 people visit the California 
     missions annually, and the historical importance of the 
     California missions extends worldwide as they have become a 
     frequent destination for foreign visitors to the United 
     States.
       (6) The history of the California missions is an important 
     educational component in California schools, and the study of 
     the California missions is part of the Statewide fourth grade 
     curricula on California history.
       (7) Restoration and repair of the California missions, and 
     the preservation of the Spanish colonial and mission-era 
     artworks and artifacts of the California missions, for the 
     public enjoyment will ensure that future generations also 
     have the benefit of experiencing and appreciating these great 
     symbols of the spirit of exploration and discovery in the 
     American West.

     SEC. 3. SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE 
                   CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) California missions.--The term ``California missions'' 
     means the following historic Spanish missions located in the 
     State of California and designated as California Registered 
     Historical Landmarks:
       (A) Mission La Purisima Concepcion, Lompoc.
       (B) Mission La Soledad, Soledad.
       (C) Mission San Antonio de Padua, Jolon.
       (D) Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura.
       (E) Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, Carmel.
       (F) Mission San Diego Alcala, San Diego.
       (G) Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana, Mission Hills.
       (H) Mission San Francisco de Asis, San Francisco.
       (I) Mission San Francisco Solano, Sonoma.
       (J) Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, San Gabriel.
       (K) Mission San Jose, Fremont.
       (L) Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista.
       (M) Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.
       (N) Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and its Asistencia 
     (sub-mission) of Santa Margarita de Cortona, San Luis Obispo.
       (O) Mission San Luis Rey de Francia and its Asistencia 
     (sub-mission), Oceanside.
       (P) Mission San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel.
       (Q) Mission San Rafael Arcangel, San Rafael.
       (R) Mission Santa Barbara Virgen y Martir, Santa Barbara.
       (S) Mission Santa Clara de Asis, Santa Clara.
       (T) Mission Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz.
       (U) Mission Santa Ines Virgen y Martir, Solvang.
       (V) Asistencia San Antonio de Pala, Pala.
       (2) California missions foundation.--The term ``California 
     Missions Foundation'' means the charitable corporation 
     established in the State of California in 1998 to fund the 
     restoration and repair of the California missions and the 
     preservation of the Spanish colonial and mission-era artworks 
     and artifacts of the California missions. The Foundation is 
     exempt from State franchise and income tax and is organized 
     and operated exclusively for charitable purposes under 
     section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior may 
     make grants to the California Missions Foundation to support 
     the efforts of the California Missions Foundation to restore 
     and repair the California missions and to preserve the 
     artworks and artifacts associated with the California 
     missions. As provided in section 101(e)(4) of the National 
     Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470a(e)(4)), the 
     Secretary shall ensure that the purpose of a grant under this 
     section is secular, does not promote religion, and seeks to 
     protect those qualities that are historically significant.
       (c) Application.--In order to receive a grant under this 
     section for the preservation of the California missions, the 
     California Missions Foundation shall submit to the Secretary 
     an application that includes--
       (1) a status report on the condition of the infrastructure 
     and artifacts for each of the California missions; and
       (2) a comprehensive program for restoration, repair, and 
     preservation of such infrastructure and artifacts, including 
     prioritized preservation efforts to be conducted over a 5-
     year period and the estimated costs of such preservation 
     efforts.
       (d) Matching Fund Requirement.--The Secretary shall require 
     the California Missions Foundation to match grant funds 
     provided under this section.
       (e) Report.--As a condition of a grant under this section, 
     the California Missions Foundation shall submit to the 
     Secretary an annual report on the status of the preservation 
     efforts undertaken using grant funds provided under this 
     section. The Secretary shall submit a copy of each report to 
     Congress.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary a total of $10,000,000 
     during the five-fiscal year period beginning October 1, 2003, 
     to make grants under this section. Funds appropriated 
     pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in this 
     section shall be in addition to any funds made available for 
     preservation efforts in the State of California under the 
     National Historic Preservation Act.
                                 ______