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.