Eight governors invited to join a consortium for Route 66 centennial planning

Governors from the eight states along historic Route 66 were invited Wednesday to sign onto a consortium that establishes a model for cooperation and partnerships across state lines so the Route 66 centennial anniversary in 2026 may reach its potential, according to a news release from New Mexico Tourism Department. The framework for the consortium … Continue reading Eight governors invited to join a consortium for Route 66 centennial planning

President Biden to appoint 12 people to Route 66 Centennial Commission

President Joe Biden announced his intent today to appoint 12 people to the Route 66 Centennial Commission. The list contains several people that many in the Route 66 community would know well. Here they are, with short descriptions of each individual, though more extensive biographies can be found in the White House announcement: Caroline Beteta, … Continue reading President Biden to appoint 12 people to Route 66 Centennial Commission

Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, along with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, a few days ago announced they are launching a Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program as part of the highway's centennial celebrations culminating in 2026. According to a news release from the partnership: The Road Ahead was awarded a $250,000 grant … Continue reading Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program

City of Albuquerque budgets $300,000 for Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026

The Albuquerque City Council is budgeting $300,000 to begin planning for a Route 66 centennial event in 2026. KRQE-TV quoted city councilor Klarissa Pena, who summarized why she thought the celebration would be important: “Communities throughout the nation suffered a decline of the historic route when highways were built, so what do we do to … Continue reading City of Albuquerque budgets $300,000 for Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026

President Trump signs Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill into law

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act into law, giving the forthcoming commission a few years to plan for Route 66's centennial in 2026. The White House reported Trump's signing of Senate Bill 1014 on Wednesday night, with six other bills. The U.S. House advanced it by voice vote earlier … Continue reading President Trump signs Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill into law

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

U.S. Senate advances Route 66 centennial bill

The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously approved the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act. It must undergo reconciliation with the U.S. House before it advances to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the bill (S. 1014) in April 2019 to mark the 100th anniversary of historic … Continue reading U.S. Senate advances Route 66 centennial bill

Route 66 centennial bill advances out of Senate committee

The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act bill advanced Wednesday out of the U.S. Senate's Committee on Environment and Public Works and will head to the full Senate floor. The bill, introduced as S1014 by Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on April 3, was given a letter of support by the Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 centennial bill advances out of Senate committee

U.S. House passes Route 66 Centennial Commission Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 66, known as the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, with wide bipartisan support Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), who sponsored the bill, made this statement after the House advanced the bill: "Route 66 is a symbol of American independence and prosperity. I am proud to have America’s … Continue reading U.S. House passes Route 66 Centennial Commission Act

Route 66 centennial bill reintroduced in Congress

An Illinois lawmaker reintroduced the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act before the Congress just days after the previous session failed to advance it and a Route 66 Historic Trail bill past the U.S. Senate. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) reintroduced the centennial bill, called H.R. 66, on Jan. 3 as the new Congress convened. Davis … Continue reading Route 66 centennial bill reintroduced in Congress