Should a Commission Honor the Centennial of Route 66? (H.R. 66)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 66?
(Updated June 21, 2019)
This bill, the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, would establish a Route 66 Centennial Commission to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary. This Commission would consist of 19 members, and would be responsible for recommending activities to commemorate Route 66’s centennial in 2026. It’d also be charged with hosting a conference on the U.S. Numbered Highway System to mark its 100-year anniversary.
The Dept. of Transportation (DOT) would be required to prepare a plan documenting Route 66’s preservation needs in consultation with the governors of the eight states that Route 66 passes through.
Argument in favor
Route 66 is a historically significant American highway that needs to be protected for future generations. Establishing a Centennial Commission to plan activities commemorating Route 66’s centennial and requiring the Dept. of Transportation to prepare a plan for Route 66’s preservation are both needed to preserve this piece of American history.
Argument opposed
Like any other highway, Route 66 is the responsibility of the states it runs through to maintain. Establishing a federal commission to commemorate or preserve Route 66 constitutes the federal government getting involved in what’s rightfully a state issue.
Impact
Route 66; Route 66 centennial; DOT; and Route 66 Centennial Commission.
Cost of H.R. 66
During the last Congress, the CBO estimated that implementing this bill would cost about $3 million over the 2019-2023 period, mostly to pay for staff.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) reintroduced this bill from the 115th Congress to preserve Route 66 for future generations:
“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. We represent different parts of the country and we’re from different political parties but we can all relate to the significance of Route 66. From providing thousands of jobs 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.”
After this bill passed the House in the 115th Congress, Rep. Davis added, “Route 66 is a symbol of American independence and prosperity, a critical part of our economy, and it’s important to preserve it for future generations.”
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership supported this bill in the 115th Congress. Chairman Bill Thomas said the following after this bill passed the House in the previous Congress:
“When Route 66 turns 100yrs old in 2026 - even though that's 8 years away - we're predicting the world will show up in the U.S. to help us celebrate. That's why it's so important that a Rt. 66 100th Anniversary Commission be established. Thanks to the foresight and leadership of Congressman Rodney Davis, we're now one step closer to that goal. With the successful adoption of HR66 in the House, we're looking forward to passage in the Senate and the President's signature by or before the end of this year. Onward and upward."
This bill has 10 bipartisan cosponsors in the current Congress, including six Democrats and four Republicans. In the previous Congress, it passed the House by a voice vote with the support of 43 bipartisan cosponsors, including 25 Democrats and 18 Republicans.
Of Note: Route 66 is historically significant in America, transporting troops, equipment, and supplies to military bases across the country during World War II. By the 1950s, Route 55 began to see a rise in tourism, making it a “true symbol of American freedom and independence.”
Media:
Sponsoring Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) Press Release (115th Congress)
Supporting Local Organizations (115th Congress)
CBO Cost Estimate (115th Congress)
Summary by Lorelei Yang
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