The $10 million California Missions Bill was unanimously
approved by the House of Representatives on Monday.
If passed, the bill will supplement a private, statewide
campaign called the California Missions Foundation, to help
preserve California’s historical sites.
The $10 million California Missions Bill was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives on Monday.
If passed, the bill will supplement a private, statewide campaign called the California Missions Foundation, to help preserve California’s historical sites.
The mission foundation is the first statewide organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the missions, according to a congressional statement.
“These missions are national treasures dating back to 1769,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who introduced the bill. “By approving this legislature, Congress has reaffirmed its commitment to the preservation of our history.”
Once the funding is approved, the mission foundation’s board will look at which missions are in the most dire need of repair, said Richard Ameil, director of the foundation.
Mission San Juan Bautista is on the top of the board’s list for renovations, Ameil said.
“We need $7 to $10 million just for that mission,” Ameil said. “It’s a great mission, but it needs a lot of repairs.”
Along with matching money from the state, Ameil hopes that amount of money will be able to be raised, he said.
For the bill to be passed it must be approved by the Senate. Sen. Barbara Boxer is now doing everything in her power to make sure the bill gets voted on sometime soon, said Sarah Rosen, spokeswoman for Farr. When, and if, it is voted on is still unknown.
“I’m encouraged about its prospects for receiving full approval,” said Kevin Drabinski, the director of communications for the Diocese of Monterey. “San Juan Bautista is a historical touchstone and a current center for community life. (The bill will) allow us to maintain it so it can be used in the future.”
The maintenance of the mission, San Juan Bautista in particular, is so important simply because of the fact that it’s 200 years old, and is still a vibrant center that meets the spiritual and educational needs of the community, Drabinski said.
Private donations are often thought of as money for the parish’s basic operations. When getting involved with a renovation of such considerable magnitude, it becomes a necessity to go outside of the community for additional help, Drabinski said.
Community members recognize that the size of the need is substantial in undertaking a project to maintain the historical monument.
“We are not ourselves owners of the Mission. We’re stewards of it,” Drabinski said. “It’s been handed down to us and we’re supposed to preserve and maintain it for future generations.”
The missions account for a sizable contribution to the state economy from millions of tourists, both nationally and internationally, according to the statement.
They also play an essential role in educating fourth grade students under the state’s western history curriculum, which includes the study of the missions.
“The history of the California missions is an important part of America’s heritage,” said Congressman David Dreier, who also helped introduce the bill. “Preserving and maintaining these historic sites will allow all Americans the opportunity to come and see what we think makes our state so unique.”
