U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate version of the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, advancing it to the office of President Donald Trump for his signature.

Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership that shepherded the bill, said in a news release Tuesday the House suspended its regular rules to advance the bill, S.1014.

If signed into law, 15 commissioners will be appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Secretary of Transportation, Senate and House majority leaders and governors of the eight states Route 66 traverses.

Appointees must demonstrate a dedication to educating others about the importance of historical figures and events and substantial knowledge and appreciation of Route 66.

As the year 2026 will be the centennial of Route 66, the commission will study and recommend in a report to Congress activities that would be “fitting and proper” to celebrate the anniversary “in a manner that appropriately honors the Mother Road of the United States,” according to the bill’s text.

Centennial activities include:

  • The issuance of commemorative coins, medals, certificates of recognition and postage stamps;
  • Ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific events;
  • The production, publication, and distribution of books, pamphlets, films, electronic publications and other educational materials.

A final report on the recommendations must be issued within two years after the commission is appointed.

The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act measure began its journey in 2017, when U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) introduced HR66 at the urging of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. That bill passed unanimously under suspension rules on July 16, 2018, but failed to advance before the congressional session ended.

In April 2019, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the S.1014 bill to celebrate the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. After some language changes, the bill passed out of the Senate on Aug. 10, 2020, and returned to the House to reconcile language differences between the two versions.

The parternship issued this statement in the wake of the bill’s advancement to the White House:

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is taking a leadership role in the celebration of Route 66’s 100th birthday. A five-year series of birthday celebration initiatives begins in 2021, culminating in 2026, the road’s centennial year. A major part of the initiatives involves developing a Visionary Fund to support Route 66 through preservation, economic development, promotion, and research and/or education projects. The Road Ahead’s goal is to position the historic highway, the communities along the road, and the people who live and work there for success during the next 100 years.

As for the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, it hasn’t moved anywhere since its introduction in the U.S. House in September. According to Skopos Labs, it has only a 4% chance of becoming law before the session ends in January.

Barring some speedy work during the lame-duck session, the chances of Route 66 becoming a National Historic Trail likely will be better during the 2021-2022 congressional session.

(Image of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., by Gage Skidmore via Flickr)

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