Bill to Aid Jimmy Doolittle Museum Passes Legislature

SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) granting a sales tax exemption to the Jimmy Doolittle Center recently passed the legislature with bipartisan support. The bill, AB 724, will give the air and space museum in Vacaville the ability to purchase a fully restored 1932 “Shell Lockheed Vega” flown by General Doolittle himself.

“The Jimmy Doolittle Center lets residents of Solano County and people across the state experience California’s rich aviation and military history,” said Assemblymember Dodd. “I’m happy to work with Assemblymember Frazier to help the museum expand its collection of historical aircraft and further preserve General Doolittle’s legacy for future generations.”

“This bill helps ensure the Jimmy Doolittle Center won’t miss out on purchasing such a sentimental, historic aircraft,” stated Assemblymember Frazier (D-Oakley). “It’s great working with Assemblymember Dodd to help secure such an extraordinary opportunity for this special community.”

The Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Education Foundation is a non-profit established to preserve the nation’s and region’s aviation heritage by building an air and space museum for all ages that showcases California aviation, Travis Air Force Base, the U.S. Airforce and the Doolittle Raiders. Through the Doolittle Center, the foundation strives to create a museum with innovative, interactive educational exhibits alongside historic aircraft and artifacts.

“I’ve supported the nonprofit Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Education Foundation for many years and I’m grateful to see the same commitment from Assemblymen Bill Dodd and Jim Frazier,” said Solano County District 4 Supervisor John M. Vasquez. “Passage of AB 724 will assist the foundation in acquiring a critical piece of our nation’s rich aviation history for the benefit of the viewing public.”

Dodd and Frazier’s bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. The Jimmy Doolittle Center is located at the Nut Tree Airport and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Assemblymember Bill Dodd represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo, and Colusa Counties. You can learn more about Assemblymember Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd.

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