The U.S. Congress is going to try again to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail during the current session.
According to a Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership news release, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) on Monday introduced HR8240 in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano [D-Calif.] co-sponsored the bill
Here’s a statement from the two lawmakers:
“Route 66 is a crucial transportation artery that connects America’s heartland to the west,” said Rep. LaHood. “The Mother Road provides powerful economic development tools for communities throughout Illinois, creating jobs and opportunity for 18th District residents. 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 proud to once again partner with Rep. Napolitano to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail and give it the appropriate designation it deserves.”
“Route 66 runs east to west through my entire district and continues to be an integral part of our San Gabriel Valley’s culture and economy,” said Rep. Napolitano. “Historic Trail designation would deliver much needed federal dollars for the rehabilitation and improvement of Route 66, benefiting millions of residents and countless economies in the eight states which proudly claim a portion of the Mother Road. These funds would be used in coordination with cities and stakeholders for the safeguarding of property, artifacts, memorabilia, and other historical items. I am proud to again join Congressman La Hood in introducing this bipartisan legislation to preserve the legacy of Route 66 for future generations of Americans.”
The partnership stated:
The proposed legislation would add Route 66 to the National Historic Trail routes. Known as the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, it first passed out of the House of Representatives in June 2018. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate, where it underwent some language changes before passing in August 2020.
Route 66 has been a crucial transportation artery for the heartland of America for nearly 100 years. Towns from the Midwest to the West Coast have seen the Mother Road bring tourism, employment, a higher quality of life and civic pride to their communities. This legislation will allow visitors from around the world to experience the history of Route 66 and provide local businesses and tourism industries along the route with ongoing economic benefits.
Next year, Route 66 celebrates its 95th anniversary. As that historic milestone draws closer, the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership can think of no better birthday present for the road than to make it a National Historic Trail. The Road Ahead commends the efforts of Congressman LaHood and Congresswoman Napolitano in introducing legislation to accomplish this designation.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. A previous version of the bill easily advanced out of committee.
Here’s our take on the National Historic Trail designation. This post was written more than eight years ago but still is relevant.
(Image of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington by Phil Roeder via Flickr)