A congressman from Illinois has introduced a Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, which directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to “prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66” and other purposes.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Republican from central Illinois, introduced H,R. 66 to the House of Representatives, and it was assigned to a transportation committee for consideration.
To make clear, this is different from Illinois Rep. Tim Butler’s legislation, announced a few months ago, to set up an Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission.
The text of the bill may be seen here. The most important part:
The Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) To study activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government to determine whether the activities are fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary, including any of the activities described under section 8(b)(2)(B).
(2) To recommend to Congress the activities the Commission considers most fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on such occasion, to be carried out by the Department of Transportation and any other entity or entities within the Federal Government that the Commission considers most appropriate to carry out such activities
(3) To plan and host, in cooperation with such partners, a conference on the U.S. Numbered Highway System, and assist in the activities of such a conference.
Under the bill, the Secretary of Transportation also would have to prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66.
Such a commission would contain 19 members appointed by the president on recommendation by the Secretary of Transportation, House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader and the governors from the eight states Route 66 traverses.
The bill already has drawn 12 co-sponsors from the Route 66 states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas and California.
Route 66 would mark its 100th birthday in 2026. The Route 66: The Road Ahead group wants to have Route 66 designated as a National Historic Trail under the National Park Service before that time.
It remains uncertain about the prospects of Davis’ bill in the House or Senate or whether President Donald Trump would sign it if it lands on his desk.
(Image of brick Route 66 near Auburn, Illinois, by Jim Grey via Flickr)