[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H9961-H9962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LINCOLN HIGHWAY STUDY ACT OF 1999

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2570) to require the Secretary of the Interior to undertake 
a study regarding methods to commemorate the national significance of 
the United States roadways that comprise the Lincoln Highway, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2570

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Lincoln Highway Study Act of 
     1999''.

     SEC. 2. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY AND REPORT REGARDING THE 
                   LINCOLN HIGHWAY.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Lincoln Highway, established in 1913, comprises 
     more than 3,000 miles of roadways from New York, New York, to 
     San Francisco, California, and encompasses United States 
     Routes 1, 20, 30 (including 30N and 30S), 40, 50, and 530 and 
     Interstate Route 80.
       (2) The Lincoln Highway played a historically significant 
     role as the first United States transcontinental highway, 
     providing motorists a paved route and allowing vast portions 
     of the country to be accessible by automobile.
       (3) The Lincoln Highway transverses the States of New York, 
     New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, 
     Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and 
     California.
       (4) Although some parts of the Lincoln Highway have 
     disappeared or have been realigned, the many historic, 
     cultural, and engineering features and characteristics of the 
     route still remain.
       (5) Given the interest by organized groups and State 
     governments in the preservation of features associated with 
     the Lincoln Highway, the route's history, and its role in 
     American popular culture, a coordinated evaluation of 
     preservation options should be undertaken.
       (b) Study Required.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting 
     through the Director of the National Park Service, shall 
     coordinate a comprehensive study of routes comprising the 
     Lincoln Highway. The study shall include an evaluation of the 
     significance of the Lincoln Highway in American history, 
     options for preservation and use of remaining segments of the 
     Lincoln Highway, and options for the preservation and 
     interpretation of significant features associated with the 
     Lincoln Highway. The study shall also consider private sector 
     preservation alternatives.
       (c) Cooperative Effort.--The study under subsection (b) 
     shall provide for the participation of representatives from 
     each State traversed by the Lincoln Highway, State historic 
     preservation offices, representatives of associations 
     interested in the preservation of the Lincoln Highway and its 
     features, and persons knowledgeable in American history, 
     historic preservation, and popular culture.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
     funds are first made available for the study under subsection 
     (b), the Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report to 
     Congress containing the results of the study.
       (e) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
     to authorize the Secretary of the Interior or the National 
     Park Service to assume responsibility for the maintenance of 
     any of the routes comprising the Lincoln Highway.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $500,000 to carry out this section.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula).
  (Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. REGULA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2570, the Lincoln Highway 
Study Act. This legislation will provide for an evaluation of the 
significance of the Lincoln Highway in American history, options for 
its preservation, and interpretation of its significant features.
  Several years ago, Congress passed similar legislation for Route 66, 
followed by passage in 1999 of the Route 66 Corridor Act. While Route 
66 certainly has historic and cultural significance to the development 
of the United States, I would suggest that the Lincoln Highway merits 
equal consideration.
  The Lincoln Highway was established in 1914 and comprises more than 
3,000 miles of roadway, from New York City to San Francisco. Beginning 
in Times Square, it transverses the States of New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, 
Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada before ending in California.
  Many people are surprised to learn that it was America's first coast-
to-coast roadway, opening the country to bicoastal motoring. As the 
first transcontinental highway, it played an historically significant 
role in providing motorists with the first paved route and allowing 
vast portions of the country to be accessible by automobile.
  Although some parts of the Lincoln Highway have disappeared or have 
been realigned, the many historic cultural and engineering features and 
characteristics of the route still remain. These features and cultural 
attractions along its route have become popular tourist attractions in 
many areas, and contribute to the economic development of the 
communities along the highway.
  The American Automobile Association now provides the route of the 
Lincoln Highway on their maps and brochures of the States it crosses. 
In a letter to Members of Congress, the AAA stated ``With renewed 
interest on the part of tourists to explore and experience our rich 
cultural heritage, we are missing an opportunity by not fully 
recognizing the role this highway played in our history.''
  The National Lincoln Highway Association, located in Illinois, works 
with the State chapters to sponsor events to commemorate and preserve 
the highway. Some State governments have already undertaken studies 
within their States.
  Given the interest by organized groups and State governments in the 
preservation of features associated with the Lincoln Highway, the 
route's history, and its role in American popular culture, a 
coordinated evaluation of its historic contributions and preservation 
options should be undertaken.

[[Page H9962]]

                              {time}  1345

  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, the Lincoln 
Highway Study Act.
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to begin with a testimonial to the work 
of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula). He not only has introduced 
this bill, but, as chair of the Subcommittee on Interior of the 
Committee on Appropriations, has made tremendous contributions this 
year to environmental protection and to our natural resources. Many of 
us would like to commend him for that.
  Madam Speaker, the Lincoln Highway was begun in 1913 and eventually 
became the first transcontinental highway in the United States. The 
highway covered 13 States in its more than 3,000-mile route from New 
York to San Francisco, and it played an important role in allowing 
people and goods access to the western United States by automobile.
  Eventually, many segments of the highway were abandoned or realigned, 
but major segments of the highway as well as intense public interest in 
its history remain.
  H.R. 2570 would authorize a study of the routes which made up the 
Lincoln Highway to evaluate various options for interpretation and 
preservation.
  The bill specifies that representatives from each State traversed by 
the highway as well as private nonprofit groups with an interest in the 
highway shall participate in the study. The legislation requires the 
study be presented to Congress 1 year after funds are made available to 
carry out this act.
  As one who has traveled long stretches of this highway starting as a 
young boy, I offer my strong support for this study. We on the minority 
side join the administration in supporting H.R. 2570.
  Mr. OXLEY. Madam Speaker, I am privileged to speak today in support 
of the Lincoln Highway Study Act, introduced by my good friend Mr. 
Regula, dean of the Ohio delegation. Chairman Regula's bill, of which I 
am a cosponsor, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to undertake 
a coast-to-coast study of the 3,384-mile Lincoln Highway. As a result 
of this study, the National Park Service can offer options as to how to 
preserve the historic nature of the road, the nation's first 
transcontinental highway.
  First established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway connects New York City 
and San Francisco, running through 13 states. The official proclamation 
detailed the route through Ohio as following the road known as ``Market 
Route Number Three,'' passing through Canton, Mansfield, Marion, 
Kenton, Lima, and Van Wert. In the 15 years that followed, significant 
revisions were made to that original list, adding and eliminating 
cities and villages from the planned road. Among the cities added was 
Bucyrus, where the first brick Lincoln Highway pillars were erected to 
commemorate the project. Four of these original pillars--with their 
plaques of red, white, and blue--are still standing today.
  Throughout Ohio, the Lincoln Highway generally follows U.S. Route 30, 
which bisects my congressional district. Several segments of Route 30 
in my district are still two-lane roads, yet regrettably carry heavy 
volumes of semi traffic. My constituents are unanimous in declaring 
these two-lane segments the most dangerous stretches of highway they 
have ever traveled. I am proud, therefore, to have helped secure 
funding in 1998's BESTEA Act to construct a modern, four-lane Route 30. 
The new road, which is slated for completion within the decade, will 
divert this heavy traffic from the original Lincoln Highway, aiding in 
its restoration and preservation. I salute Chairman Regula and the Ohio 
Department of Transportation for their work in advancing Route 30 
modernization.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to recognize two of my constituents 
who are actively involved in Lincoln Highway preservation. Mr. Michael 
Buettner of Lima is the president of the Ohio Lincoln Highway League 
and author of the History and Road Guide of the Lincoln Highway in 
Ohio. His work in promoting the highway has made him a sought-after 
tour guide for Lincoln Highway historians. Also, Mr. Craig Harmon is 
the founder and director of the Lincoln Highway National Museum and 
Archives in Galion. Two years ago, Craig traveled the entire Lincoln 
Highway in a bucket truck, taking some 5,000 photographs along the way 
as a part of his project ``The Lincoln Highway Comes of Age.'' These 
two gentlemen have compiled a wealth of information with which to 
assist in the Park Service's study; I am proud of their hard work.
  I thank Mr. Regula for his leadership on this issue, and urge my 
colleagues to support the preservation of this important road.
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Morella). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2570.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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