Speier's bill SB 92 creates a check-off on income tax forms, allowing people to donate money to the California Missions Foundation. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the historical legacy of the missions for future generations.
"California's missions are an integral part of our history and our heritage, and they are crumbling before our very eyes. The voluntary tax check-off is a great way to help raise funds without relying on state dollars,'' says Speier.
More than 230 years ago, the first European settlers built a chain of 21 Spanish missions in California. The Mission buildings became State Historical Landmarks and state property in 1906. Currently there are only two of the 21 California missions receiving state support.
Four of the mission buildings are located in the Bay Area: Mission San Rafael, Arcángel, located at 1104 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael; Mission San José at 43300 Mission Blvd. in Fremont; Mission Santa Clara de Asís at 500 El Camino Real in Santa Clara; and Mission San Francisco de Asís at 3321 16th St. in San Francisco.
According to the senator's office, money generated by the tax check-off would be used for basic structural repairs, as well as property renovations, seismic retrofitting, archaeological excavations, and restoration and preservation of priceless artwork.
"We must act now to preserve the missions before it is too late. I don't want future generations to only know these great landmarks from pictures in history books,'' says Speier.
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