WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) secured $225,000 for the construction of a world-class music center on the campus of Sonoma State University. The money was secured in the FY04 Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development (VA-HUD) Appropriations bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center will become the permanent home of the Santa Rosa Symphony and will expand the performing arts programs of Sonoma State University.

“A world class music center for Sonoma County is long overdue and will assist the economic development of the community,” said Rep. Woolsey. “I am proud to help the Santa Rosa Symphony and Sonoma State University create a venue to celebrate the performing arts and to develop the talent of the next generation of musical artists in the North Bay.”

“Thanks to Rep. Woolsey for showing strong support for the project and the community,” said Mr. Donald Green, Entrepreneur and supporter of the Green Music Center. “The timing couldn’t have been better as charitable giving activities are at a low. This is a morale booster that will help us get reinvigorated to raise the final amount of money.”

The Green Music Center will be modeled after the Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood in Massachusetts and the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria. The 1400-seat concern hall will open at one end to provide lawn seating for 3,000 people with direct views into the hall.

"This is great news,” said Dr. Arminana, President of Sonoma State University. “This will be a wonderful investment of the federal government in the arts, education and economic development for the University and the North Bay."

This $225,000 for the Donald and Maureen Green Music Center is in addition to the $200,000 that Rep. Woolsey secured to protect the Tomales Bay in the House VA-HUD Appropriations bill. After the Senate version of the VA-HUD Appropriations bill is passed, the two bills will be reconciled in conference committee before a final version is approved.