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 The hearing allowed for Subcommittee members to
discuss and ask questions about the bill, and featured Rt. 66 Road
Ahead Partnership Chairman Bill Thomas of Atlanta, IL as a witness.
Mr. Thomas testified on the benefits of Rt. 66 to communities across
the 18th District, the entire country and the need to preserve the
road for the future. Rep. LaHood currently serves as the Vice-Chair
of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, and has served as a member of it
since joining Congress.
“For nearly a century, Rt. 66 has been a crucial transportation
artery for the heartland of America. Today’s hearing was a great
opportunity to discuss how important the Rt. 66 is to the 18th
District and the towns that have helped it gain its notoriety,”
stated Rep. LaHood. “These towns, like Atlanta in my district, have
seen the Mother Road keep employment and revenues up, leading to a
higher quality of life and civic pride. It is vital that we maintain
and support Route 66 for future generations, and today’s hearing
highlighted why we must ensure it continues to serve as a point of
pride for not only the states it runs through, but for the entire
country.”
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Route 66 was an original highway established as part of the U.S.
Highway system in 1926. The highway begins in Illinois and ends in California,
running through a total of eight states.
Rep. LaHood’s bill (H.R. 801) would designate Route 66 as a
National Historic Trail, providing the highway with a permanent program to
preserve, promote, and economically develop. It was introduced on February 9,
2017 with Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) as original
cosponsors. The legislation now awaits further action in the House Natural
Resources Committee.
[Office of Congressman Darin LaHood,
J.D. Dalfonso] |
