Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 Schiff Applauds House Passage of California Missions Legislation Mission San Gabriel Arcángel Among Many To Be Eligible for Federal Funding WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives today passed the Senate Amendments to the California Missions Preservation Act (H.R. 1446), clearing the way for the President to approve a new federal funding source to restore the California Missions. “Important historical sites such as the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel will be better preserved for future generations of Californians to enjoy and learn about our state’s rich heritage,” Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) said. The Mission San Gabriel Arcángel is the fourth of 21 missions established in California during the Spanish colonial era, originally founded in 1771 in what is now Montebello and moved to present-day San Gabriel in 1776.  Built by the Franciscans and Native American Gabrielenos, it would become what famed Spanish missionary Junípero Serra would call “The Pride of the Missions.” The legislation authorizes the Interior Department to provide $10 million worth of grants over five years to the California Missions Foundation to repair mission buildings as well as preserve their artifacts and artwork.  While the House originally passed H.R. 1446 in October 2003, the Senate only recently passed the bill but not before amending it.  Now that the House has concurred with the Senate’s amendments, H.R. 1446 may be sent to the White House to be signed into law. Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees.  He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City. - 30 -