Someone launched a We the People petition drive to the White House Sunday to designate “Old Route 66” as a historic landmark.
The creator of the petition is listed as J.W. (I don’t know who he or she is) of Springfield, Oregon, and has made the rounds on Facebook. The petitioner described the petition as this:
This petition is a plea to President Obama to designate funds and promote fund raisers to preserve, protect, and restore Old Route 66 for future generations and designate it as an historic landmark. Route 66 is rich in history and the culture of the U.S.A. It has fans here at home and abroad in foreign countries. It will be a tragedy and great loss if this highway is not protected and preserved.
The goal is to gather 100,000 signatures within 30 days to require a review from the White House and generate an official response from President Barack Obama or other officials in his administration. A mere 150 signatures are required for the petition to be searchable.
Signing the petition won’t take more than a minute or two. And perhaps it will get the attention of other lawmakers.
Almost three years ago, I advocated having the National Park Service designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. I and other officials in the National Park Service still believe this is a sound and good idea. But other than some initial inquiries from a couple of congressmen, the proposal has gained little traction.
Perhaps something as simple as the above petition can gin up more interest.
Is this petition also open to Non-American citizens? I’m from Switzerland and a fan of Route 66 and traveled to years ago “at 66: 66 days on and off Route 66 and the Canyons.”
I’m for anything that will help save and promote Route 66, but how does this differ from the National Park Service Route 66 Preservation Corridor that already exists? The NPS designation was made just fifteen years ago and even in an era of budget cuts–and worse, budget gridlock–has already managed some impressive preservation projects. Here in Tulsa the Meadow Gold sign restoration (and installation in a new spot on a new base with accompanying pedestals and plaques outlining the history of neon signs in general and the Meadow Gold sign in particular) was a recipient of NPS government dollars. Interested history buffs, architects, city officials, and Route 66 enthusiasts raised a majority of the money needed for the Meadow Gold sign, but 25% of the cost was funded by the national Park Service. Ron, I do know who started this current petition. She announced it on Face Book. From her reply to the question I asked at the beginning of this lengthy reply to your post it is apparent that she didn’t know anything about the National Park Service Route 66 Preservation Program. Again I say, I’m for anything that will help save and promote Route 66, but I’m afraid we (meaning Route 66 supporters) look ill informed when we approach legislators asking them to do something they already did 15 years ago and worse, we remind them of something that they could rip from the budget without fear of losing campaign donations.
The value of the petition, as I see it, is although the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program does exist, it will sunset in a few years. The petition would force the president and the NPS to look harder at designating Route 66 a National Historic Trail in time for its centennial. The National Historic Trail designation would standardize signage for Route 66, which remains a huge problem for large swaths of the route, and would streamline preservation efforts a great deal.
How would this be different from the National Park Service Route 66 Preservation Corridor Program?