Matteo Renzi: “H.R. 1446, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make…”

“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.”