[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.

                          ____________________