This funding would supplement funding already in place from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, West Contra Costa Unified School District, City of Richmond, Rosie the Riveter Trust, National Park Service and Contra Costa County for the rehabilitation of the former Maritime Child Care Center into a portion of a Preschool and K-5 Charter operated by the Richmond Children’s Foundation. The project would include a National Park service interpretive center operated by Rosie the Riveter WW II Home Front National Historical Park.

NEWS

Congressman George Miller, California's 7^th District

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Contact: Daniel Weiss 202-225-2095

MILLER ANNOUNCES INITIAL APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR A VALLEJO WATER QUALITY PROJECT AND A RICHMOND PARK PROJECT

WASHINGTON -- Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) was informed today that a key congressional panel has approved funding for a water quality and park project that Miller requested to support efforts in the City of Vallejo and the City of Richmond, in his congressional district. 

The House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies approved the two items described below.  Funding for the projects is subject to final approval by the full Appropriations Committee and then also by the full House and Senate.  The bill is expected to be voted on by the full House next week.

"I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee is supporting these two important projects in Vallejo and Richmond," said Miller.  "They will both enhance economic development and, in Richmond, the park project will enhance our community's and our Nation's understanding of the important role the people and workers of Richmond played during World War II."

1) Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drain Improvements at Mare Island

In 1993, Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo was closed by the Base Closure Commission. Subsequently, the citizens of Vallejo began to convert Mare Island to an active mixed use economy and community. Among other endeavors, Vallejo needed to overhaul the entire sanitary and storm drain system.  The city budgeted funds for the required local matching funds and asked Congress for federal assistance to complete the project. This year's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes $650,000 for the project though the EPA's State and Tribal Assistance Grant program.  The project will help the city further develop Mare Island and help create jobs in Solano County.

2) Maritime History Center for Working Families

The Maritime History Center for Working Families (originally the Maritime Child Development Center) was built in Richmond during World War II as a nursery school for children of women working in the nearby Kaiser Company shipyards. The Rosie the Riveter Trust plans to rehabilitate the building to create an on-site interpretive historical center as part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which Miller helped to create through legislation he authored in 2000. This year's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes $100,000 for the project through the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program.  The Rosie the Riveter site has become an important tourist attraction for the local community and visitors alike and source of pride for the City and its rich history of support for the WWII home front effort.