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In the wake of the March 11 tsunami that hit the West Coast, destroying the Crescent City harbor, President Barack Obama declared Monday that a major disaster exists in California, triggering federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

”We're absolutely ecstatic to be a disaster,” said Crescent City Harbor Master Richard Young.

President Barack Obama, Senate Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives reached a tentative budget deal at the 11th hour -- or minutes before midnight EST -- on Friday, apparently averting the first federal government shutdown in 15 years.

With a principal agreement on a spending deal that would carry the federal government through the Sept. 30 end of the budget year, Congress passed a stop-gap measure late Friday to keep federal departments operating for another week.

Congressman Mike Thompson is asking the U.S. Postal Service to seek historic status for the downtown Ukiah post office.

State and federal leaders are asking President Barack Obama for a major disaster declaration for California following the damage the state suffered last month that was triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan.

Gov. Jerry Brown and North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) penned separate letters sent to Obama on Wednesday asking for the assistance for the state, which suffered $48 million in damage to ports, harbors, boats, businesses and infrastructure due to a water surge triggered by Japan's March 11 quake and tsunami.

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday urged President Barack Obama to provide California with federal disaster assistance to help the state with the more than $48 million in estimated damage caused by the March 11 tsunami.

“Last month's tsunami caused significant damage to infrastructure up and down California's coast,” Thompson said in a press release. “Without assistance, I am extremely concerned that recovery efforts in affected communities, including those I represent, will languish.

Crescent City Harbor officials are crossing their fingers after learning that California has met the threshold to apply for federal disaster relief funds.

Damages to the entire state had to exceed $44 million in order to qualify for federal assistance. California Emergency Management Agency representatives said the state sustained $48,147,098 in total damages when tsunami surges rocked coastal cities March 11.

Lori Newquist, spokesperson for Cal EMA, said Crescent City alone represents about 43 percent of the state's damage estimate.

As volunteers, park officials, elected representatives and community members looked on Saturday afternoon, the State Parks Department formally received an important gift - the new Clear Lake State Park Education Pavilion.

Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association President Madelene Lyon not only officially handed over the seven-year labor of love to State Parks Director Ruth Coleman, she also topped off the gift with a hug.

The Republican attack on AARP could trigger a more widespread examination of the tax-exempt status of nonprofit groups, including those who have backed conservatives, Democrats warned Friday.

“I think it is a very slippery slope we are going down today,” Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) said during a contentious House hearing.

Republicans on two House Ways and Means subcommittees called the hearing to grill AARP executives about the group's financial practices and whether it deserves to keep its tax-exempt status.