Congressman introduces bill to make Route 66 a National Historic Trail

A congressman from Illinois has introduced a bill that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail under the auspices of the National Park Service.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) recently introduced bill H.R. 801 to amend the National Trails System Act to create a Route 66 National Historic Trail.

U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Transportation and Natural Resources committees, co-authored the bill, according to a news release from the Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership.

Napolitano also co-authored a H.R. 66, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) a few weeks ago, that would establish a federal commission to recommend activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

The partnership’s new release had this quote from LaHood about the Route 66 National Historic Trail proposal:

“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. 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.”

The news release also quoted Napolitano:

“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.”

No text of LaHood’s bill is available online. However, the Congress’ website states it has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill so far has seven co-sponsors from Illinois or California, with a mix of Democrats and Republicans.

The Route 66 centennial legislation aims to do three things, according to a news release from Napolitano’s office:

• Creates a 19-member commission to recommend activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.
• Directs the commission to host a conference on the U.S. Numbered Highway System, marking its 100-year anniversary.
• Directs the Department of Transportation, in consultation with governors of the eight states through which 66 passes to develop a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66.

As of late Wednesday, the centennial bill had 13 co-sponsors and, like the national trail bill, enjoyed bipartisan support from them.

Bill Thomas, chairman of Route 66: The Road Ahead Partnership, said this in the news release:

“Designating Route 66 a National Historic Trail was one of the most positively supported ideas raised at the series of Route 66 Collaboration Workshop meetings facilitated by the Road Ahead Partnership during the summer of 2015. These meetings were designed to solicit feedback/input from Route 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 Route 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 Route 66.”

More about the advantages of a Route 66 National Historic Trail are listed here.

(Image of Route 66 in California by Meins Photography via Flickr)