[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI:
  S. 3010. A bill to reauthorize the Route 66 Corridor Preservation 
Program; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce legislation to 
continue the restoration and preservation of the unique cultural 
resources along the famous Route 66. Passage of the Route 66 Corridor 
Preservation Reauthorization Act would carry on the wonderful work of 
the Park Service's Route 66 program over the past decade. As in the 
past, I am joined in this effort by my colleague from New Mexico, 
Senator Bingaman.
  In 1990, I introduced the Route 66 Study Act, 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 later 
introduced legislation authorizing the National Park Service to join 
with Federal, State and private efforts to preserve various aspects of 
historic Route 66, the Nation's most important thoroughfare for east-
west migration during the 20th century.
  The Route 66 program is a collective effort by private property 
owners; non-profit organizations; and local, State, Federal, and tribal 
governments to identify and address preservation needs along the 
historic route. The program offers grants for the restoration of 
significant properties dating all the way back to the mid 1920s.
  The bill authorizes funding over 10 years and supports grassroots 
efforts to preserve aspects of this historic highway. Designated in 
1926, the 2,200-mile stretch from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, 
the Mother Road, as it was called, rolled through eight American 
states, and in New Mexico, it passed through the communities of 
Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, Grants and Gallup. New Mexico added 
to the aura of Route 66, giving new generations of Americans their 
first experience of our colorful culture and rich heritage. Route 66 
allowed travelers to see firsthand previously remote areas and 
experience the traditions and natural beauty of the Southwest and West.
  The 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 
making grants. Since 1990, the Park Service has acted as a 
clearinghouse for communication among Federal, State, local, private 
and American Indian entities interested in the preservation of 
America's Main Street. Congresswoman Heather Wilson of Albuquerque, New 
Mexico, has introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives, 
and I hope Congress will act promptly in passing this important 
legislation.
  I thank my colleagues for considering the Route 66 Corridor 
Preservation Reauthorization Act.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.

                                S. 3010

  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

       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 ``Route 66 Corridor 
     Preservation Program Reauthorization Act''.

     SEC. 2. ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

       Section 4 of Public Law 106-45 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; 113 
     Stat. 226) is amended by striking ``2009'' and inserting 
     ``2019''.
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