U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) testified Wednesday before a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing about his proposed Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act.
LaHood was joined by Casey Claypool, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, who also testified in support of the bill, which is H.R. 3600. The bill, introduced in the House in May, is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.).
“If signed into law, the bill would 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 capitalizing on economic development from Route 66 for generations to come,” LaHood said.
Here is LaHood’s full statement:
“I believe designating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail will help preserve and promote the road itself as well as increase economic development opportunities for the communities that have long supported its cultural heritage, intrinsic qualities, and idiosyncratic character,” Claypool testified. “A National Historic Designation will enable Route 66 communities to thrive and allow them to continue to tell the compelling story of the road and the freedom and values that embrace it.”
Here is Claypool’s testimony in full:
After the legislative hearing, the next step for the bill would be a full committee markup, then a full vote on the House floor.
Similar legislation has enjoyed bipartisan support in previous legislative sessions. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and other Route 66 organizations have openly supported it.
The hard part is getting it passed by both the U.S. House and Senate and getting it to the president’s desk. Indeed, Skopos Labs estimates it has only a 2% chance of being enacted.
(Image of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington by Phil Roeder via Flickr)
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