[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10945-H10948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL RESOURCE OF THE ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 2133) to preserve the cultural resources of the Route
66 corridor and to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide
assistance.
The Clerk read 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
[[Page H10946]]
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
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen)
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 2133, sponsored by Senator Domenici of the Senate
side and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Heather Wilson) on the
House side, would protect and preserve the Route 66 corridor.
Route 66 was an important part of America's history between 1933 and
1970. This bill would authorize the Secretary to support and
collaborate with local entities to facilitate the development of
guidelines and a program of technical assistance and grants that will
set priorities for the preservation of Route 66.
The preservation of Route 66 shall include the preservation or
restoration of portions of the highway, businesses, and sites of
interest, and other contributing resources along the highway that were
important during the 1933 to 1970 period.
Mr. Speaker, S. 2133 is a good bill that would help preserve an
important part of American history for future generations. I ask my
colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
(Mr. MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, this bill and its House
companion bill, H.R. 4513, have had no hearings or markups in the
House. The bill directs the National Park Service to undertake a number
of cultural resource programs along the Route 66 corridor.
The National Park Service already has authority to do such programs.
What the National Park Service does not have the authority to do and
what is the real purpose of this act is to provide funding to
nonfederal entities. This bill includes a $10 million authorization.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the highway systems of America are probably one of the
more important things that link our country together. This particular
Route 66 is one which has had shows made about it, and all kinds of
history went into it. Many of us have traveled it from one area to the
other. I think there was even a song written about it.
We find ourselves in a position later on, now that that is
diminishing and going out, we are trying to find a way to take care of
our highways. I think it is interesting that President Dwight
Eisenhower came to Congress and asked for a penny a gallon so that he
could establish an interstate system. Now that interstate system laces
the land. If it was not for that, the commerce and trade, the moving of
goods and services and people, would almost be impossible.
So this is a very historic time in our lives to see that we have this
one that was so interesting and there for such a long time, and that we
could have the opportunity of now giving a bill for on behalf of this
piece of legislation.
I really respect our new member, the gentlewoman from New Mexico
(Mrs. Heather Wilson) for introducing this, along with Senator
Domenici. Every one of us can look at various pieces of highways and
trails. As Members know, Mr. Speaker, in the Committee on Resources we
have bills regarding historic trails and byways.
As we look at the history of the western movement, and we look at the
Mormon pioneers and the people who went on the Santa Fe Trail and the
Oregon Trail, they spent absolutely years trying to figure a way to
make it from one point to the other. Mr. Speaker, now, as we fly in
airplanes and do other things, it is nice to look back and say that at
one time this was one of the more interesting and famous areas of
[[Page H10947]]
America. If Members will notice now, there there are being
documentaries done on it people are talking about it. We would urge
people to go take a look at it.
Just last year they reenacted the trip along the trail from Nauvoo to
Salt Lake that the early Mormon pioneers did. They used wagons and
horses and mules, and it got national attention as they did that. At
this particular point, this one is also receiving a lot of national
attention, which was a great highway at one time, and immediately
following the war was so important. People could speed up and down that
highway. I wish they would speed to this floor a little faster so they
can speak on pieces of legislation that they find interesting and
important.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of S. 2133 as reported is to designate
former United States Route 66, Route 66 National Historic Highway, to
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a cultural
resource program in support of cultural resources related to Route 66,
providing technical assistance to State, local, and private persons,
participate in cost-sharing programs, and administer a grant program.
U.S. 66, popularly known as Route 66, is significant as the Nation's
first highway linking Chicago with Los Angeles.
{time} 1230
In its day, Route 66 symbolized freedom and mobility for every
citizen who could afford to own and operate a car.
Beginning at the Corner of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue in
Chicago, Route 66 wound 2,400 miles to Santa Monica, California. Route
66 linked the rural West to the densely populated urban Midwest and
Northeast. Gas stations, motels, restaurants and grocery stores were
built along the route to serve an increasingly mobile public. Route
66's period of greatest significance was between 1933 and 1970.
Congress authorized a Special Resource Study (Public Law 102-400) for
Route 66 in 1990. The study was completed in July 1995. The study found
that Route 66 is nationally significant and that representative
structures, features, and artifacts remain along this historic route,
although remnants of the road are quickly disappearing.
The study identified five alternatives. This legislation closely
depicts alternative five. Under this alternative, Route 66 will be
designated as a National Historic Highway. Partnerships between the
Federal Government and local organizations will be established to
preserve historic resources along Route 66. The National Park Service
will provide technical assistance, participate in cost-sharing
programs, and administer a grant program.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman
from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson), one of the sponsors of this legislation.
Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, it is a real pleasure to be here today to
support this bill. In 1990, Senator Pete Domenici called for a study of
Route 66, America's Main Street. It goes from Chicago all the way to
L.A. The report was filed with Congress, and this year Senator Domenici
and I introduced legislation, both in the House and in the Senate, to
designate this road as America's Main Street, and to preserve it to
provide a center and a focus for tourism.
Route 66 is 2,448 miles long. It crosses eight States and three time
zones. It was commissioned in 1926 when America began its move
westward, and we all remember the great part it has played in American
history. It was paved from end to end in 1936, and finally
decommissioned in 1985. But it still remains an important part of our
history, an important part of our culture.
Even though I-55 and I-44 and I-40 and I-15 and I-10 will take us
faster, Route 66 is firmly a part of our memories and a part of our
history. It is rooted in Americana. John Steinbeck called Route 66 the
Mother Road, and it has been called the Main Street of America and the
Will Rogers Highway.
Who can forget that Bobby Troup song, ``Get Your Kicks on Route 66,''
which was also recorded by the Acid Visions, Asleep at the Wheel,
Charles Brown? And most of us here in this room here today could
probably hum a few bars; even Frank Sinatra sang ``Get Your Kicks on
Route 66.''
Senate bill, S. 2133, the Senate companion to the House bill, H.R.
4513, is going to help small businesses, including motels and gas
stations and diners that have blue plate specials and neon signs
outside of their doors; State historical preservation offices, and
small towns all along that famous route; and even schools, including a
little school called the Route 66 Elementary School in Moriarty, New
Mexico. They just had their grand opening in September and they gave to
me a hubcap. It says ``Route 66 Elementary Grand Opening, September 19,
1998.'' They have got 259 students there, and they have a Route 66
Diner as well.
The Route 66 National Historic Highway Act authorizes the National
Park Service to support State and local and private efforts to preserve
Route 66 corridor by providing technical assistance, participating in
cost-sharing programs, making grants and loans. It also acts as a
clearinghouse for communication among Federal, State, local, private,
and American Indian entities interested in the preservation of the
Route 66 corridor and it authorizes the expenditure of up to $10
million over 10 years for this purpose.
The U.S. National Park Service endorses this bill and it enjoys
bipartisan support. So, whether we live in Chicago, Bloomington, or
Springfield, Illinois; or St. Louis or Joplin, Missouri; or Tulsa or
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; or Amarillo; or Santa Fe or Albuquerque, New
Mexico; or Santa Rosa, Tucumcari Grants, Winslow, Arizona; Flagstaff,
Kingston, Barstow, San Bernardino or Los Angeles, we are part of the
Route 66 corridor and part of a great piece of Americana.
I thank Senator Domenici for working on this bill on the Senate side,
and I appreciate the assistance of the gentleman from Utah (Chairman
Hansen) in bringing it to the floor here as we are closing our business
for this year.
Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I think that it is something
that preserves our unique character as Americans, and I am pleased and
very proud to have helped bring it to the floor of the House.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins).
Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. In
1990, I introduced legislation for a study for the historic
preservation of Route 66. I appreciate the leadership on both sides of
the aisle for promoting this legislation. In fact, when I introduced
the Route 66 legislation I was on the other side of the aisle.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation because of an
emotional feeling from my experience traveling Route 66. In fact,
between 1942 and 1946, my family left Oklahoma and Arkansas and went to
California in search for jobs. When we left Arkansas the first time,
there were nine of us in an old 1934 Ford car heading out to
California. We were the Oakies and Arkies.
Some may wonder what is the difference in the Okies and the Arkies.
The Arkies had two mattresses on top of their car and we just had one
from Oklahoma.
But that started probably the largest migration of people ever in the
history of our country from rural America to the urban centers of
America. That migration started many social problems in the cities, but
also created social problems in the rural, economic depressed areas of
America.
I know the first trip in 1942 when I was 4 years of age. The
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Wilson) was talking about some of
those towns along that route. I remember stopping and we would get the
water bag filled that we would have on the front of the car so we could
make it across the desert. I can remember when we returned from that
first trip, I got out of the car barefooted in Flagstaff, Arizona, and
my nose started bleeding because the pavement was so hot at that time.
I point this out because Route 66 was a highway of hope and dreams
for a lot of people. The dreams of being able to survive. The dreams of
being able to maybe accumulate something along the way. And, I might
say, if we look in California today we will find a lot of those
successful business leaders and landowners are Okies and Arkies that
made the trip.
[[Page H10948]]
I know I have talked to a lot of them each year that come back for
homecomings, class reunions and family reunions and literally they tell
me they would like to come back home to Oklahoma, but they cannot
because now their children and grandchildren are in California, so they
are locked into staying because they want to be around their family.
I had to step forth today and express my thanks to the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Wilson), and
the leadership of the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) and others
for pursuing this legislation because Route 66 is not just any road.
Yes, it is the Mother Road, the Highway of Hope for many of us. It is a
road that allowed a lot of people to survive coming out of the worst
economic conditions they possibly could have had during the Great
Depression.
I know that my mom and dad and three of us children and other
kinfolks traveled that route. I am glad that I made the route back on
Route 66 to Oklahoma. I grew up in Bermington, a small rural community
in the southeast part of the State of Oklahoma. I think this road will
provide many memories, but we will be able to preserve historically
many of the hopes and dreams because it made opportunities available
for a lot of people.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah for letting me have the
opportunity to say a few words.
Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of the gentlewoman
from New Mexico (Ms. Wilson) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr.
Watkins). I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill, S. 2133.
The question was taken.
Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________