[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25479]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CALIFORNIA MISSIONS PRESERVATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1446, a bill 
that would allocate badly needed funds to the restoration of 
California's missions. California's 21 missions are an integral part of 
California's historical landscape and their preservation for future 
generations is imperative. They serve as a window into the settlement 
of the American West and are key aspects of California's history, 
education, and tourism.
  Drawing over 5.5 million tourists a year, the California Missions are 
the most visited historic attractions in the state. They account for a 
sizable contribution to the state economy from millions of tourists, 
including a large number of international visitors.
  The missions also play an essential role in educating fourth-grade 
school children under the statewide history curricula. California 
missions serve an important educational function in teaching young 
students about the role of the missions in the history of our nation.
  Contrary to widespread belief, 19 of California's 21 missions are not 
funded by any governmental agency and instead rely on charitable 
donations to keep their doors open. They are in serious need of repair, 
restoration, and preservation for future generations.
  Until recent efforts by the California Missions Foundation, little 
had been done to preserve the mission's structures and art. Because of 
this long-term neglect, many of the missions are now in dire need of 
structural attention and major rehabilitation.
  The legislation would provide $10 million for the restoration effort 
in a Department of the Interior grants program to be administered over 
five years. By authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to make 
matching grants to the California Missions Foundation, we are 
preserving the missions while keeping in mind the current state of the 
budget.
  This act enjoys nearly unanimous, bipartisan support among 
California's congressional delegation. It will support the efforts of 
the California Missions Foundation to restore and repair the Spanish 
colonial and mission-era missions in the State of California. I urge 
all my colleagues to ensure that the missions remain intact, as 
unshakable symbols of our nation's early discovery.

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