Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act

Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the Committee on Natural Resources, I want to thank the gentleman for his support, his assistance, and his friendship in helping to bring H.R. 801 to the floor here today.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 801 is the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, and we are happy to have it here today on this floor. I also want to thank my friend and Democratic colleague, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California, for introducing this legislation along with me. Through our combined efforts, we have successfully built strong bipartisan support for this particular bill.

I am proud to represent Illinois' 18th Congressional District in Congress, especially given its rich American history. H.R. 801 focuses on a small piece of that, Route 66, also commonly known or referred to as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road.

As many know, Route 66 spans eight States and runs from Illinois to California. Also of note, Route 66 will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. In my district, Route 66 passes through places like Lexington, Illinois; Towanda; Bloomington-Normal; Atlanta; Lincoln; Elkhart; Springfield; and stretches into the northern part of our State near Chicago.

Route 66's impact on small, rural communities in Illinois and across the country cannot be understated. For example, both Atlanta, Illinois, and Springfield, Illinois, have benefited from the recent renewed emphasis on Route 66. In Atlanta, we have seen an increase in tourism to the area. As a result, we have had an increase in sales tax revenue. In Springfield, which is our State capital, we have seen revitalization in several parts of town.

These are just two examples, but I can say with confidence that the highway's significance has become a key driver of attracting both domestic and international tourism as well as local economic activity for the areas and States that many of us in Congress represent.

On any given day, you will find people flying into Chicago, into O'Hare Airport, and renting motorcycles or cars or getting on buses and driving along this iconic roadway through America.

It should also be known that the Federal Government already recognizes the importance of Route 66. The highway currently benefits from the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, but this program is scheduled to sunset in 2019.

My legislation, H.R. 801, is simple and straightforward and improves upon current efforts. If signed into law, it will designate Route 66 as a national historic trail, ensuring that the National Park Service will have the authority to assist and support States and local communities in preserving, promoting, and economically developing Route 66 for generations to come.

Importantly, in 1995, a Route 66 special resource study was conducted by the National Park Service, as authorized by Congress. The study determined that Route 66 meets the criteria in the National Trails System Act for designation as a national historic trail.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record 10 letters of support from Route 66 associations and organizations across the country which back the legislation.

October 11, 2016.

Re Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership

To Whom It May Concern: I am pleased to write this letter

of endorsement on behalf of the Route 66 Alliance in support

of Route 66 being designated as a National Historic Trail.

The Route 66 Alliance, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is

committed to the preservation and marketing of the entire

2,448 miles of historic Route 66. Its key role in the

development of the United States is beyond question. And

efforts in Tulsa have begun in earnest to highlight this

iconic road, and the important role that Tulsa played in its

development.

Recently, the Mayor of Tulsa established a Route 66

Commission to oversee the enhancement, development, visitor

experience, and revitalization of the authentic Route 66,

twenty-four miles of which pass through Tulsa County. This

Commission, which I chair, is comprised of City Councilors,

County Commissioners, business owners, Main Street Program

directors, and other passionate supports of the Mother Road,

all committed to maintaining and enhancing this culturally

significant treasure.

Since 1999, when the National Park Service established the

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, tremendous progress

has been made in revitalizing significant historic properties

all along the road. This in turn has lead to increased

tourism, both national and international, as well as enhanced

economic vitality in these communities.

Despite its reauthorization by Congress in 2009, the Route

66 Corridor Preservation Program is scheduled to sunset in

2019. Establishing Route 66 as a National Historic Trail will

ensure a federal focus that will continue the work of the

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for generations to

come.

Thank you for your consideration.

Kind regards,

Ken Busby,

Executive Director & CEO.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 801, which establishes Route 66 as the 20th national historic trail as part of the National Trails System.

I want to thank my colleague, Representative LaHood, for introducing the legislation and letting me be a cosponsor. I want to thank Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva for their support in moving this bill through the committee.

Mr. Speaker, as Mr. LaHood stated, it is an economic boon for the cities that have Route 66. It runs east and west through my district, known as Foothill Boulevard and Huntington Drive, in the cities of La Verne, San Dimas, Azusa, Duarte, and Monrovia. In fact, one of my cities is already highlighting and doing celebrations of Route 66. At swap meets, they are already selling Route 66 T-shirts and paraphernalia.

Our local restaurants, our shops, our businesses, like so many others dotting the highway from the heartland to the West Coast, provide rest breaks for travelers, allowing them to sample the local flavors of communities that are proud to be connected by the iconic road.

H.R. 801 is needed because the current preservation under the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is expiring in 2019. So we need to, under H.R. 801, continue to recognize and promote Route 66 through the national historic trail designation, which will bring Federal resources for the rehabilitation and improvement of this Mother Road. It runs from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica in the State of California.

We have cities that are very excited about being able to celebrate it in the 100th year. This Federal assistance will be used in coordination with cities and stakeholders for the preservation of property, artifacts, memorabilia, and other historical items.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 801, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I do. Not only that, but I remember the song that included Route 66. He will remember that, if he is young enough.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 801) to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Route 66 National Historic Trail, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), despite the fact that he used to be a member of our committee and abandoned us, for which he will never be forgiven.

Mr. Speaker, I want to add my support to this particular bill. We are talking about 2,400 miles going from Chicago to Santa Monica. It was, at one time, called the Main Street of America. It is unique in American history.

I was just talking to the sponsor of this particular piece of legislation who does not remember the TV show. I still remember ``Route 66'' as one of my favorite shows. I still want to go on that route and in the same Corvette that they had.

Mr. Speaker, if others are too young to remember that, learn history. That is why we are history teachers around here.

I will yield to Mrs. Napolitano to ask if she remembers the show.

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, it is running through my head right now.

This is a good piece of legislation. This is more than just nostalgia. This actually helps preserve our history. It is the right thing to do. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.