The two projects in Miller’s district are sanitary sewer and storm drain improvements for Mare Island and the Maritime History Center for Working Families in Richmond. Funding for the projects still remains to be approved by the Senate and the President.

“While both projects will play an important role in my district’s economy, the Richmond project will also bring further recognition to the contributions of women and the city of Richmond during World War II,” said Miller.

Description of the two projects requested by Rep. Miller:

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.