SAN FRANCISCO, CA— Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), who advocated on behalf of a variety of Bay Area grant proposals, extended his congratulations today to three organizations in San Francisco who won grant funding from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
“Cultural and historical institutions hold a very important place in the Bay Area by preserving our rich history and heritage for generations to come,” stated Leno. “The fact that the CCHE chose three Bay Area projects out of a long list of worthy efforts from across the state speaks to the quality, richness and vision of our local non-profit agencies.”
San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts received $1.45 million earmarked toward the completion of the Palace’s rotunda and colonnade restoration. Donna Ewald Huggins, Chair of the Campaign for the Palace of Fine Arts said, “We are proud to announce that with CCHE funding, the restoration of a beautiful landmark in our great City will become a reality. We are pleased that Assemblyman Leno helped to champion our cause by rallying support for this wonderful gift to San Francisco residents and visitors.”
San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) was awarded $968,000 for the construction of an Urban Center meant to inform and engage the public in urban planning and public policy. SPUR Board Member Oz Erickson stated, “We are thrilled that CCHE has granted us the funding for the Urban Center. From the very beginning, Assemblyman Leno has been a strong supporter of our efforts. Thanks to his steadfast dedication and advocacy, our City will be on the cusp of creating innovative opportunities for civic participation and engagement.”
Additionally, the Museum of the African Diaspora received $150,000 to expand their state of the art museum and continue blending art and innovative technology with the African tradition of storytelling.
Proposition 40 created the CCHE in 2002 to support the “acquisition, development, preservation, and interpretation of buildings, structures, sites, places, and artifacts that preserve and demonstrate culturally significant aspects of California’s history and for grants for these purposes.” Organizations from throughout California compete for the grant funding each year.
For those joining in gay marriages today, the road from outlaw status to respectability was paved in the Legislature over three decades.
From decriminalizing sex between same-sex couples, to outlawing job discrimination against homosexuals, to adding gay members to the legislative roster, the government has been taking steps, measure-by-measure, that have led to gay couples joining hands in marriage ceremonies across the state.
