GLENDALE (CNS) - Rep. Adam Schiff today announced that the proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2022 will include $950,000 in funding to support construction and development of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California in downtown Glendale.
“Armenian-Americans are an essential part of the very fabric of our nation -- enriching our customs, traditions and communities,” said the Burbank Democrat, who is vice chair of the House Armenian Caucus.
“Their story is an American story, one of hope in the face of hardship, of perseverance, and of new beginnings. The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California will ensure that story gets told for generations come.”
Schiff was one of the speakers at Sunday's groundbreaking at Glendale's Central Park, where a two-story, 50,000-square-foot facility will take shape.
“It's an honor to work alongside my Armenian-American constituents for recognition and justice,” Schiff said Thursday in announcing the budget allocation for the museum.
While the budget still needs to be passed, Schiff added, “I am thrilled that investment in this important cultural center will be included in the government funding package, and I will continue to press forward to help ensure its passage.”
The fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills include more than $7.7 million in funding for 10 local community projects Schiff requested as Community Projects.
Besides the Armenian museum, Schiff's office said, those projects include:
-- $1.6 million for Children's Hospital Los Angeles to purchase new equipment enabling advanced diagnosis and personalized care for children with complex conditions such as autism and developmental disorders, as well as rapid diagnosis of rare genetic disorders in newborns;
-- $1 million for the Thai Community Development Center to support construction and startup costs for the Thai Town Marketplace in East Hollywood, which provides a low-cost entry point for low-income members of the community to start a business;
-- $975,000 for Los Angeles City College to provide resources such as food aid, housing assistance, health services, course supplies, transportation and tutoring for 500 students through LACC's Basic Needs project;
-- $880,546 for Covenant House California to establish 16 new beds, serving an estimated 64 youth annually, at CHC's Safe Haven emergency housing program for youth experiencing homelessness;
-- $775,000 for the Los Angeles LGBT Center to support the construction of a Federally Qualified Health Center, which would provide expanded testing, treatment and prevention services to address HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in Los Angeles County;
-- $700,000 for the City of Glendale Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory to purchase equipment and supplies for evidence processing and forensic testing;
-- $350,000 for Para Los Ninos to hire two additional mental health counselors, purchase medical telehealth technology and cover organizational overhead;
-- $250,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley to renovate their new main clubhouse, allowing them to triple their capacity, and,
-- $225,000 for the Burbank Fire Department to replace its water tender.