[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      JOIN IN SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS PRESERVATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me 
in supporting the California Missions Preservation Act. This 
legislation, which would authorize $10 million to repair some of our 
Nation's most important historical landmarks, promises to allow future 
generations to enjoy California's unique cultural heritage.
  From San Diego to Sonoma, the missions of California dot the Pacific 
coast with beauty and tradition. They were constructed in the 18th and 
early 19th centuries by the Spanish government as a defense against 
Russians who, it was thought, desired to move south from the Bering 
Straight. Spain hoped the settlements would solidify its political 
authority, as well as extend its religious values into the New World.
  Since the missions were built two hundred years ago, the Golden State 
has evolved from a sparsely populated frontier to the world's 
technological epicenter. The missions still stand, however, as a source 
of pride and tradition to all Californians. All 21 are California 
historical landmarks, and seven have national landmark status. The 
missions are the State's most popular historic sites, attracting an 
estimated 5.3 million sightseers last year. Some 745,000 of these 
visitors are schoolchildren. Mission visits are a valued part of 
California's fourth grade curriculum, as students build mission models 
and write research reports on this colorful aspect of California's 
history.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleagues will no doubt be disappointed to learn 
that California's missions are in various states of decay and 
disrepair. At San Gabriel Archangel, east of Los Angeles, a termite-
infested redwood beam crashed to the ground at the church's main 
entrance last year, forcing another five beams to be removed as a 
safety precaution. The beautiful mission at San Miguel has cracks in 
its facade that are large enough to fit several fingers. San 
Francisco's famous Mission Dolores is also slowly crumbling away.
  Mr. Speaker, the passage of the California Missions Preservation Act, 
along with the significant fundraising efforts of the nonprofit 
California Missions Foundation, will enable us to preserve our State's 
historical legacy. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for its 
passage.

                          ____________________