|
 As a member of the Committee on Natural Resources,
Rep. LaHood introduced H.R. 801, a bill to amend the National Trails
System Act to designate the Route 66 National Historic Trail. As a
member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,
Rep. Davis introduced H.R. 66, a bill to establish a Federal
commission to recommend activities to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), a
senior member of both the Transportation and Natural Resources
Committees, proudly coauthored both pieces of legislation.
Bill Thomas, current Chairman of the Rt. 66 Road Ahead Partnership,
noted, “Designating Rt. 66 a National Historic Trail was one of the
most positively supported ideas raised at the series of Rt. 66
Collaboration Workshop meetings facilitated by the Road Ahead
Partnership during the summer of 2015. These meetings were designed
to solicit feedback/input from Rt. 66 stakeholders across the
country regarding the proposed mission, outcomes, and goals of the
Road Ahead Partnership. It is exciting to see the idea of Rt. 66
being designated a National Historic Trail take this major step
forward. It is equally exciting to begin work on plans to celebrate
the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road in 2026. Many thanks to
Representatives, LaHood, Davis, and Napolitano for their leadership
on behalf of Rt. 66.”
“Spanning nearly a century, Route 66 has been a crucial
transportation artery traveling through the heartland of America.
The Mother Road has provided jobs and opportunities and been a
powerful economic development tool for communities throughout
Illinois and every state it runs through, as well as providing
timeless memories for those traveling cross-country. It is time it
receives the national recognition it deserves,” stated Rep. LaHood.
“Designating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail would provide
this highway with a permanent program to preserve, promote, and
economically develop it. I am excited to partner with Rep. Davis and
Rep. Napolitano to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail and
commence its centennial celebration.”
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 “I am proud to have America’s most iconic road run
through the middle of my district and it’s important we celebrate
its history,” said Davis. “From providing thousands of jobs to
unemployed workers during the Great Depression to transporting
equipment and supplies for World War II to becoming a symbol of
freedom and independence in the 1950s, Route 66 has been the ‘road
to opportunity’ for millions of Americans throughout our history. I
look forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026.”
Congresswoman Napolitano added, “Route 66 runs east to west through
my entire district and is an integral part of California’s San
Gabriel Valley’s culture and economy. Our local restaurants, shops,
and other businesses, like so many others dotting the interstate
from the heartland to the west coast, provide rest breaks for
travelers, allowing them to sample the local flavors of our
communities that are proud to be connected by the iconic road. As we
begin looking toward the centennial, I am proud to partner with my
Illinois colleagues, Congressmen Davis and LaHood, to revitalize and
preserve Route 66 for future generations.”
The Rt. 66 Road Ahead Partnership is eager to track the progress of
these two pieces of legislation as they work their way through
Congress. For additional information contact:
[Bill Thomas
The Rt. 66 Road Ahead Partnership] |
