[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12104-S12106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ROUTE 66 NATIONAL HISTORIC HIGHWAY

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 2133) to designate 
former United States Route 66 as ``America's Main Street'' and 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance, which 
had been reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting 
in lieu thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Route 66.--The term ``Route 66'' means--
       (A) portions of the highway formerly designated as United 
     States Route 66 that remain in existence as of the date of 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (B) public and private land in the vicinity of the highway.
       (2) Cultural resource programs.--The term ``Cultural 
     Resource Programs'' means the programs established and 
     administered by the National Park Service for the benefit of 
     and in support of cultural resources related to Route 66, 
     either directly or indirectly.
       (3) Preservation of route 66.--The term ``preservation of 
     Route 66'' means the preservation or restoration of portions 
     of the highway, businesses and sites of interest and other 
     contributing resources along the highway commemorating Route 
     66 during its period of outstanding historic significance 
     (principally between 1933 and 1970), as defined by the July 
     1995 National Park Service ``Special Resource Study of Route 
     66''.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Cultural Resource 
     Programs at the National Park Service.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means a State in which a 
     portion of Route 66 is located.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION.

       Route 66 is designated as ``Route 66 National Historic 
     Highway''.

     SEC. 3. MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
     entities described in subsection (c), shall facilitate the 
     development of guidelines and a program of technical 
     assistance and grants that will set priorities for the 
     preservation of Route 66.
       (b) Designation of Officials.--The Secretary shall 
     designate officials of the National Park Service stationed at 
     locations convenient to the States to perform the functions 
     of the Cultural Resource Programs under this Act.
       (c) General Functions.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) support efforts of State and local public and private 
     persons, nonprofit Route 66 preservation entities, Indian 
     Tribes, State Historic Preservation Offices, and entities in 
     the States to preserve Route 66 by providing technical 
     assistance, participating in cost-sharing programs, and 
     making grants;
       (2) act as a clearinghouse for communication among Federal, 
     State, and local agencies, nonprofit Route 66 preservation 
     entities, Indian Tribes, State Historic Preservation Offices, 
     and private persons and entities interested in the 
     preservation of Route 66; and
       (3) assist the States in determining the appropriate form 
     of establishing and supporting a non-Federal entity or 
     entities to perform the functions of the Cultural Resource 
     Programs after those programs are terminated.
       (d) Authorities.--In carrying out this Act, the Secretary 
     may--
       (1) collaborate with the Secretary of Transportation to--
       (A) address transportation factors that may conflict 
     with preservation efforts in such a way as to ensure 
     ongoing preservation, interpretation and management of 
     Route 66 National Historic Highway; and
       (B) take advantage, to the maximum extent possible, of 
     existing programs, such as the Scenic Byways program under 
     section 162 of title 23, United States Code.
       (2) enter into cooperative agreements, including, but not 
     limited to study, planning, preservation, rehabilitation and 
     restoration;
       (3) accept donations;
       (4) provide cost-share grants and information;
       (5) provide technical assistance in historic preservation; 
     and
       (6) conduct research.
       (e) Road Signs.--The Secretary may sponsor a road sign 
     program on Route 66 to be implemented on a cost-sharing basis 
     with State and local organizations.
       (f) Preservation Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide assistance in 
     the preservation of Route 66 in a manner that is compatible 
     with the idiosyncratic nature of the highway.
       (2) Planning.--The Secretary shall not prepare or require 
     preparation of an overall management plan for Route 66, but 
     shall cooperate with the States and local public and private 
     persons and entities, State Historic Preservation Offices, 
     nonprofit Route 66 preservation entities, and Indian Tribes 
     in developing local preservation plans to guide efforts to 
     protect the most important or representative resources of 
     Route 66.

     SEC. 4. RESOURCE TREATMENT.

       (a) Technical Assistance Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a program of 
     technical assistance in the preservation of Route 66.
       (2) Guidelines for preservation needs.--
       (A) In general.--As part of the program under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall establish guidelines for setting 
     priorities for preservation needs.
       (B) Basis.--The guidelines under subparagraph (A) may be 
     based on national register standards, modified as appropriate 
     to meet the needs of Route 66 so as to allow for the 
     preservation of Route 66.
       (b) Program for Coordination of Activities.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall coordinate a program 
     of historic research, curation, preservation strategies, and 
     the collection of oral and video histories of Route 66.
       (2) Design.--The program under paragraph (1) shall be 
     designed for continuing use and implementation by other 
     organizations after the Cultural Resource Programs are 
     terminated.
       (c) Grants.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) make cost-share grants for preservation of Route 66 
     available for resources that meet the guidelines under 
     subsection (a); and
       (2) provide information about existing cost-share 
     opportunities.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for the 
     period of fiscal years 2000 through 2009 to carry out the 
     purposes of this Act.
                                  ____
                                  


                           AMENDMENT NO. 3800

                     (Purpose: To improve the bill)

       On page 6, strike lines 12 through 18 and insert the 
     following:
       (1) Route 66 corridor.--The term ``Route 66 corridor'' 
     means structures and other cultural resources described in 
     paragraph (3), including--
       (A) public land within the immediate vicinity of those 
     portions of the highway formerly designated as United States 
     Route 66; and
       (B) private land within that immediate vicinity that is 
     owned by persons or entities that are willing to participate 
     in the programs authorized by this Act.
       On page 6, lines 22 and 23, strike ``cultural resources 
     related to Route 66'' and insert ``preservation of the Route 
     66 corridor''.
       On page 7, strike lines 1 through 9 and insert the 
     following:
       (3) Preservation of the route 66 corridor.--The term 
     ``preservation of the Route 66 corridor'' means the 
     preservation or restoration of structures or other cultural 
     resources of businesses, sites of interest, and other 
     contributing resources that--
       (A) are located within the land described in paragraph (1);
       (B) existed during the route's period of outstanding 
     historic significance (principally between 1933 and 1970), as 
     defined by the study prepared by the National Park Service 
     and entitled ``Special Resource Study of Route 66'', dated 
     July 1995; and
       (C) remain in existence as of the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

[[Page S12105]]

       On page 7, line 15, strike ``Route 66'' and insert ``the 
     Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 7, strike lines 16 through 18.
       On page 7, line 19, strike ``SEC. 3.'' and insert ``SEC. 
     2.''.
       On page 7, lines 23 and 24, strike ``preservation of Route 
     66'' and insert ``preservation of the Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 8, line 9, strike ``to preserve Route 66'' and 
     insert ``for the preservation of the Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 8, line 15, strike ``historic'' and insert 
     ``Historic''.
       On page 8, line 16, strike ``preservation of Route 66;'' 
     and insert ``preservation of the Route 66 corridor;''.
       On page 9, strike lines 1 through 11.
       On page 9, line 12, strike ``(2)'' and insert ``(1)''.
       On page 9, line 15, strike ``(3)'' and insert ``(2)''.
       On page 9, line 16, strike ``(4)'' and insert ``(3)''.
       On page 9, line 17, strike ``(5)'' and insert ``(4)''.
       On page 9, line 19, strike ``(6)'' and insert ``(5)''.
       On page 9, strike lines 20 through 22.
       On page 9, line 23, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(e)''.
       On page 9, line 25, strike ``preservation of Route 66'' and 
     insert ``preservation of the Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 10, line 2, strike ``highway'' and insert ``Route 
     66 corridor''.
       On page 10, line 5, strike ``Route 66'' and insert ``the 
     Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 10, line 11, strike ``Route 66'' and insert ``the 
     Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 10, line 12, strike ``SEC. 4.'' and insert ``SEC. 
     3.''.
       On page 10, line 16, strike ``Route 66'' and insert ``the 
     Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 11, strike lines 1 and 2 and insert the following:

     needs for preservation of the Route 66 corridor.
       On page 11, line 7, strike ``histories of Route 66'' and 
     insert ``histories of events that occurred along the Route 66 
     corridor''.
       On page 11, line 14, strike ``Route 66'' and insert ``the 
     Route 66 corridor''.
       On page 11, line 18, strike ``SEC. 5.'' and insert ``SEC. 
     4.''.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to preserve the 
     cultural resources of the Route 66 corridor and to authorize 
     the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance.''.

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today the United States Senate has taken 
a historic step in preserving one of America's treasures--Route 66. S. 
2133, the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Act of 1998, will preserve the 
unique cultural resources along the famous Route 66 corridor and 
authorize the Interior Secretary to provide assistance through the Park 
Service. Congresswoman Heather Wilson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 
introduced a companion bill (HR. 4513) in the House of Representatives. 
I am hoping that body will promptly act on this bill with the changes 
proposed by the distinguished Environment and Public Works Committee 
Chairman Chafee.
  I introduced the ``Route 66 Study Act of 1990,'' which directed the 
National Park Service to determine the best ways to preserve, 
commemorate and interpret Route 66. As a result of that study, I 
introduced S. 2133 this June authorizing the National Park Service to 
join with federal, state and private efforts to preserve aspects of the 
historic Route 66 corridor, the nation's most important thoroughfare 
for east-west migration in the 20th century.
  The Administration testified in favor of this legislation, with some 
modifications. We've made some good changes to the bill, and Senator 
Chafee's amendment furthers progress for success of this Park Service 
program. This legislation authorizes a funding level over 10 years and 
stresses that we want the federal government to support grassroots 
efforts to preserve aspects of this historic highway.
  New Mexico added to the aura of Route 66, giving new generations of 
Americans their first experience of our colorful culture and heritage. 
Designated in 1926, the 2,200-mile Route 66 stretched from Chicago to 
Santa Monica, California. It rolled through eight American states, and 
in New Mexico, it went through the communities of Tucumcari, Santa 
Rosa, Albuquerque, Grants, and Gallup. Route 66 allowed generations of 
vacationers to travel to previously remote areas and experience the 
natural beauty and cultures of the Southwest and Far West. S. 2133 will 
facilitate greater coordination in federal, state and private efforts 
to preserve structures and other cultural resources of the historic 
Route 66 corridor, the 20th century route equivalent to the Santa Fe 
Trail.
  This bill authorizes the National Park Service to support state, 
local and private efforts to preserve the Route 66 corridor by 
providing technical assistance, participating in cost-sharing programs, 
and make grants. The Park Service will also act as a clearing house for 
communication among federal, state, local, private and American Indian 
entities interested in the preservation of the Route 66 corridor.
  As we draw to the close of this century, there is more interest in 
trying to save Route 66. I sincerely hope that this legislation is 
quickly passed on the House floor. The time is now to provide tangible 
means of assistance to preserve this special highway.
  The amendment (No. 3800) was agreed to.
  The committee amendment, as amended, was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 2133), as amended, was considered read the third time 
and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2133

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Route 66 corridor.--The term ``Route 66 corridor'' 
     means structures and other cultural resources described in 
     paragraph (3), including--
       (A) public land within the immediate vicinity of those 
     portions of the highway formerly designated as United States 
     Route 66; and
       (B) private land within that immediate vicinity that is 
     owned by persons or entities that are willing to participate 
     in the programs authorized by this Act.
       (2) Cultural resource programs.--The term ``Cultural 
     Resource Programs'' means the programs established and 
     administered by the National Park Service for the benefit of 
     and in support of preservation of the Route 66 corridor, 
     either directly or indirectly.
       (3) Preservation of the route 66 corridor.--The term 
     ``preservation of the Route 66 corridor'' means the 
     preservation or restoration of structures or other cultural 
     resources of businesses, sites of interest, and other 
     contributing resources that--
       (A) are located within the land described in paragraph (1);
       (B) existed during the route's period of outstanding 
     historic significance (principally between 1933 and 1970), as 
     defined by the study prepared by the National Park Service 
     and entitled ``Special Resource Study of Route 66'', dated 
     July 1995; and
       (C) remain in existence as of the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Cultural Resource 
     Programs at the National Park Service.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means a State in which a 
     portion of the Route 66 corridor is located.

     SEC. 2. MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
     entities described in subsection (c), shall facilitate the 
     development of guidelines and a program of technical 
     assistance and grants that will set priorities for the 
     preservation of the Route 66 corridor.
       (b) Designation of Officials.--The Secretary shall 
     designate officials of the National Park Service stationed at 
     locations convenient to the States to perform the functions 
     of the Cultural Resource Programs under this Act.
       (c) General Functions.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) support efforts of State and local public and private 
     persons, nonprofit Route 66 preservation entities, Indian 
     tribes, State Historic Preservation Offices, and entities in 
     the States for the preservation of the Route 66 corridor by 
     providing technical assistance, participating in cost-sharing 
     programs, and making grants;
       (2) act as a clearinghouse for communication among Federal, 
     State, and local agencies, nonprofit Route 66 preservation 
     entities, Indian tribes, State Historic Preservation Offices, 
     and private persons and entities interested in the 
     preservation of the Route 66 corridor; and
       (3) assist the States in determining the appropriate form 
     of and establishing and supporting a non-Federal entity or 
     entities to perform the functions of the Cultural Resource 
     Programs after those programs are terminated.
       (d) Authorities.--In carrying out this Act, the Secretary 
     may--
       (1) enter into cooperative agreements, including, but not 
     limited to study, planning, preservation, rehabilitation and 
     restoration;
       (2) accept donations;
       (3) provide cost-share grants and information;
       (4) provide technical assistance in historic preservation; 
     and
       (5) conduct research.
       (e) Preservation Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide assistance in 
     the preservation of the Route 66 corridor in a manner that is 
     compatible with the idiosyncratic nature of the Route 66 
     corridor.
       (2) Planning.--The Secretary shall not prepare or require 
     preparation of an overall management plan for the Route 66 
     corridor, but shall cooperate with the States and local

[[Page S12106]]

     public and private persons and entities, State Historic 
     Preservation Offices, nonprofit Route 66 preservation 
     entities, and Indian tribes in developing local preservation 
     plans to guide efforts to protect the most important or 
     representative resources of the Route 66 corridor.

     SEC. 3. RESOURCE TREATMENT.

       (a) Technical Assistance Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a program of 
     technical assistance in the preservation of the Route 66 
     corridor.
       (2) Guidelines for preservation needs.--
       (A) In general.--As part of the program under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall establish guidelines for setting 
     priorities for preservation needs.
       (B) Basis.--The guidelines under subparagraph (A) may be 
     based on national register standards, modified as appropriate 
     to meet the needs for preservation of the Route 66 corridor.
       (b) Program for Coordination of Activities.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall coordinate a program 
     of historic research, curation, preservation strategies, and 
     the collection of oral and video histories of events that 
     occurred along the Route 66 corridor.
       (2) Design.--The program under paragraph (1) shall be 
     designed for continuing use and implementation by other 
     organizations after the Cultural Resource Programs are 
     terminated.
       (c) Grants.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) make cost-share grants for preservation of the Route 66 
     corridor available for resources that meet the guidelines 
     under subsection (a); and
       (2) provide information about existing cost-share 
     opportunities.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for the 
     period of fiscal years 2000 through 2009 to carry out the 
     purposes of this Act.

                          ____________________