[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9697-H9699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1445
                  CALIFORNIA MISSIONS PRESERVATION ACT

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1446) to support 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 those missions, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1446

       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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Pallone) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1446, introduced by the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Farr), would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make 
matching grants to the California Missions Foundation to support the 
efforts of the foundation to restore and repair the California missions 
and to preserve the artworks and artifacts associated with the 
California missions. Currently, the 21 California missions of the El 
Camino Real, or Royal Highway, have had to rely on nominal entrance 
fees, sales from gift shops, donations and special events to cover 
their operating expenses. Unfortunately, these sources of income have 
not been enough to keep up with the increasing structural needs of 
these aging missions that date back all the way to 1769, when Father 
Serra founded Alta California, the first Spanish mission in California. 
Today over 5 million people annually visit the mission system, and it 
is obvious to many that outside financial help is needed.
  The California Missions Foundation, a charitable corporation 
established in California in 1998, is dedicated to raising funds for 
the ongoing preservation, restoration, and maintenance needs of the 
California missions to ensure that their historical legacy is kept 
alive for future generations. As a condition of a grant, the foundation 
must submit to the Secretary an annual report on the status of the 
preservation efforts.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1446.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1446, introduced by the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Farr), is a bipartisan and noncontroversial measure 
that authorizes grants to support the restoration and preservation of 
the historic

[[Page H9698]]

California missions. The California missions, dating back to the mid-
1700s, are important historical and cultural resources that made 
significant contributions to the settlement of California and the 
American West. In early California, these 21 missions were the center 
of the social, economic, and religious development of the region.
  The $10 million in historic preservation grants authorized by H.R. 
1446 will help restore and preserve these historic missions for the 
benefit of all Americans. Under the terms of the legislation, the 
Federal funds must be matched by funds from non-Federal sources and 
will be used for secular purposes to protect those qualities of the 
missions that are historically significant.
  Mr. Speaker, as I noted earlier, H.R. 1446 is bipartisan legislation. 
It has the cosponsorship of 48 members of the California delegation. 
The legislation is relatively small in terms of the amount of money, 
but important in an effort to preserve these missions and the 
historical and cultural history that they embody. I support the bill 
and urge its adoption by the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Farr).
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1446, which is known 
as the California Missions Preservation Act. This is truly a bipartisan 
piece of legislation cosponsored by 48 of my California colleagues. I 
also want to thank the efforts of the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for moving 
this legislation to the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, even before the fuse that led to the explosion of 
American independence was lit at the Boston Tea Party, the first 
California mission was established in San Diego in 1769. The last 
mission in the chain was established in 1823 in Sonoma. All 21 missions 
are California registered historical landmarks, seven of which have 
Federal status of national historical landmarks. I am fortunate to have 
five of the 21 missions in my congressional district extending along 
the coast of California on what is known as the El Camino Real, or the 
King's Highway, that would link the missions, now commonly known as 
Highway 101. Those missions are in Santa Cruz, in San Juan Bautista, in 
the city of Soledad, a mission called San Antonio de Padua which is in 
Fort Hunter Liggett; and in my own hometown of Carmel, San Carlos 
Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, known as Carmel Mission.
  The California missions represent a historic vein running through the 
State from the south to the north. They also symbolize the east to west 
exploration that expanded our Nation to its four corners. Of all the 
institutions that define California's heritage, none has the historic 
significance and emotional impact of the chain of Spanish missions that 
stretch from San Diego to Sonoma. The missions are an important part of 
the State's cultural fabric and must be preserved as priceless historic 
monuments. They are a living link to our past.
  The missions stand as landmarks of more than 2 centuries and are 
recognized for the important impact they have had on the development of 
California, including California art, architecture, agriculture, food, 
music, language, apparel, and recreation. The missions help drive 
tourism, the State's third largest industry. These symbols of 
California are the most visited historical attractions in the State, 
attracting over 5.3 million visitors a year. They account for a sizable 
contribution to the State's economy from millions of tourists, 
including a large number of international visitors. And they have 
become synonymous with the State's fourth grade curriculum. Students 
build mission models and write research reports as part of California 
history lessons. This serves as an important education function in 
teaching young students about the role of missions in the history of 
our State and our Nation.
  For 230 years, the missions have stood as symbols of Western 
exploration and settlement. Time, natural deterioration, and neglect 
have taken a toll on the missions. Some are crumbling and are at risk 
of full destruction. Most need preservation and seismic work to restore 
their antique beauty and bring them up to modern safety standards. 
Without immediate repairs, these centuries-old structures could be 
lost. The need is urgent and of near-crisis proportions: rotting roofs, 
cracking tiles, crumbling adobe. The backlog of needed repairs is long, 
the price tag is high, and the message is clear: the California 
missions need our help. Now.
  H.R. 1446 will provide an important step toward addressing some of 
the most severe problems the missions are facing. This legislation 
provides authorization for funding of up to $10 million over 5 years. 
In partnership with the State of California and in partnership with the 
California Missions Foundation, a statewide funding campaign has begun. 
Under this legislation, the process requires that each mission submit a 
list to the foundation of its most urgent preservation needs. All 
mission repairs and restoration projects are reviewed, approved, and 
supervised by professionals qualified in the disciplines of history, 
history archaeology, architectural history, planning, architecture, 
folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape 
architecture, or related fields. Projects must be accomplished in 
accordance with the applicable Secretary of the Interior's standards 
for the treatment of historical properties. All repairs and capital 
improvements must have competitive bids, which the foundation's funding 
review committee reviews. The foundation board of directors assesses 
the proposal and has final approval on all restoration projects funded. 
The missions are required to submit timely progress reports and an 
accounting to the foundation on all projects funded.
  Since the Spanish friars and native peoples joined together in 
building these settlements, the land we call California has been shaped 
and influenced by what they accomplished in the most ambitious 
undertaking. From the vineyards of Sonoma to the ranches of Santa 
Barbara to the adobe arcades and red tile roofs of San Diego, the 
California missions have left their mark on who we are and what we have 
become.
  H.R. 1446 presents us with the opportunity to address the needs of 
the missions and to preserve an integral part of our Nation's history 
and the heritage of the West that combines with the East to make this 
truly the United States.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1446, the 
California Missions Preservation Act. I would like to thank the 
gentleman for introducing this bill, and I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor.
  The California Missions provide such an important part of 
California's past and their history can be traced to 1493, just after 
the discovery of America. The sixth district of California, north of 
San Francisco and just over the Golden Gate Bridge, which I am pleased 
to represent, is fortunate to have one of these missions and another 
just outside of the sixth district that my constituents visit.
  The San Raphael mission was originally built in 1817 as an outpost 
chapel of the San Francisco mission. Named for Saint Raphael, the angel 
of bodily healing, it was thought that the sunny hillside on the north 
side of the bay would be a good place for the sick to convalesce. In 
fact, it is the first known sanitarium in California. In five years it 
was a healthy settlement and became an independent mission on October 
19, 1822. After it was secularized, the mission fell into ruin and in 
1854 the original mission was torn down. In 1947 a new mission was 
built, near the original site, based on a painting of the old mission.
  The San Francisco Solano Mission, founded in 1823, was the last and 
most northerly of the 21 Franciscan missions of Alta California. Sonoma 
Mission, as it is popularly called, was the dedicated goal of the young 
and zealous Padre Jose Altimira. He headed into the northern wilderness 
to find a more healthy location for a mission than the crowded San 
Francisco de Asis Mission. In Sonoma Valley he found his ideal 
location, with fertile soil and mild, sunny climate.
  Secularization of the mission in 1834 was followed by neglect and 
decay. In 1881 the church and padres' quarters were sold and used as a 
hay barn, winery and blacksmith shop. However, the mission was rescued 
from disintegration in 1903 when it was bought by the Historic 
Landmarks League and turned over to the State. Full restoration began 
in 1911.
  There is still more to do to restore these historic treasures. It is 
important that we save these missions so that we can pass on their

[[Page H9699]]

history to future generations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
join me in support of this bill.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge my California 
colleagues, Congressman Farr, Congressman Dreier, Congressman Calvert 
and Congresswoman Capps for leading the effort on this important 
legislation.
  Preserving our California culture, art and history is a priority for 
our entire delegation as evidenced by this bill's long list of 
cosponsors. The $10 million this legislation provides for the 21 
missions will stimulate our economy through tourism, the minds of our 
youth through education, and will help preserve our history for 
generations to come. I am a proud supporter of this bi-partisan 
endeavor to save and restore our historic landmarks.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 
1446, the California Missions Preservation Act. This legislation will 
provide $10 million in matching grants for the preservation of 
California's 21 historic missions, to be matched with $50 million in 
private donations. The missions are the most frequently visited 
historical attractions in the state, receiving more than 5.3 million 
visitors annually.
  As every California schoolchild learns, the missions shaped the 
future of California. Built between 1769 and 1798, the missions were 
the first European settlements in our region and formed a chain along 
the coast from San Diego to Sonoma. Each mission became a bustling 
settlement inhabited by Europeans and Native Americans.
  Mission San Francisco de Asis, the sixth mission to be created, was 
founded on June 29, 1776, just give days before the signing of the 
Declaration of Independence on the opposite side of the continent. 
Popularly known as Mission Dolores, it grew to become the great City of 
San Francisco. It now lies near the geographic center of the city and 
at the heart of the city's cultural and religious life.
  Built with adobe and massive beams of sequoia wood, Mission Dolores 
survived the devastating earthquake of 1906 practically without damage. 
But as the oldest building in San Francisco, Mission Dolores is 
suffering the ravages of time and heavy usage. The main altar, two side 
alters, the statuary, the gardens, and the cemetery are in need of 
repair and restoration. The mission museum must be enlarged and 
upgraded to ensure that mission artifacts are properly preserved and 
protected. Funds are needed for the construction of a memorial honoring 
the Native Americans on whom the success and the very survival of the 
mission depended.
  While Mission Dolores needs significant repairs and improvements, 
some of the other missions are at even greater risk, needing seismic 
retrofits to ensure that they survive the next earthquake. If we lose 
these missions, we will lose an essential strand in the fabric of our 
state's history. I urge my colleagues to vote for the California 
Missions Preservation Act.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1446.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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