[House Report 109-499]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



109th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     109-499

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   RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

                                _______
                                

   June 13, 2006.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

     Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                    [To accompany H. Con. Res. 372]

  The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 372) 
recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Interstate Highway 
System, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
with amendments and recommend that the concurrent resolution as 
amended be agreed to.
  The amendments are as follows:
  Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

That Congress--
          (1) recognizes the golden anniversary year of the Dwight D. 
        Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways;
          (2) recognizes the achievements of the Federal Highway 
        Administration (and its predecessor, the Bureau of Public 
        Roads), the State departments of transportation, and the 
        highway construction industry, including contractors, 
        designers, engineers, laborers, materials producers, and 
        equipment companies, for their contributions to the 
        construction of the Interstate Highway System and the quality 
        of life of the citizens of the United States; and
          (3) encourages citizens, communities, government agencies, 
        and other organizations to promote and participate in 
        celebratory and educational activities marking this uniquely 
        important and historic milestone.

  Amend the preamble to read as follows:

Whereas on June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the 
Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to establish a 41,000-mile National System 
of Interstate and Defense Highways, known as the ``Interstate Highway 
System'', and the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to create a Highway Trust 
Fund;

Whereas in 1990, the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways was 
renamed the ``Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and 
Defense Highways'' to recognize President Eisenhower's role in the creation 
of the system;

Whereas in 2006, this web of superhighways, now spanning a total of 46,876 
miles throughout the United States, has had a powerful and positive impact 
on our national life;

Whereas the Interstate Highway System has proven vital in transporting 
people and goods from one region to another speedily and safely;

Whereas the Interstate Highway System has facilitated trade both within our 
national borders and globally and helped create unprecedented economic 
expansion and opportunities for millions of Americans;

Whereas the Interstate Highway System has brought diverse communities 
throughout our land closer together and kept us connected to one another as 
well as the larger world;

Whereas the Interstate Highway System has made it easier and often more 
enjoyable to travel to long-distance destinations and spend time with 
family members and friends who live far away;

Whereas the Interstate Highway System is a pivotal component in our 
national system of defense and emergency preparedness efforts;

Whereas the Interstate Highway System remains one of our country's 
paramount assets as well as a symbol of human ingenuity and freedom; and

Whereas this anniversary provides an occasion to both honor one of the 
largest public works achievements of all time and reflect on how it can 
remain effective in the years ahead: Now, therefore, be it

                       PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

    House Concurrent Resolution 372 was introduced by Mr. 
Young, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Petri, Mr. DeFazio et al. The purpose 
of H. Con. Res. 372 is to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the 
Interstate Highway System and to the achievements of State 
departments of transportation and the highway construction 
industry for their contributions to the construction of the 
Interstate Highway System and the quality of life of the 
citizens of the United States.

                                SUMMARY

    On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the 
Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 which established a 41,000-mile 
National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, known today 
as the Interstate Highway System. That same year, the Congress 
also passed, and President Eisenhower signed, the Highway 
Revenue Act, creating the Highway Trust Fund, a budgetary 
mechanism to finance United States highway programs through 
user fee taxes, principally the Federal gas tax.
    From 1956, when the Interstate system was established, this 
web of superhighways has grown to now span a total of 46,876 
miles throughout the United States, and has helped create an 
unprecedented economic expansion and opportunities for millions 
of Americans. H. Con. Res. 372 recognizes the Anniversary of 
the Interstate Highway System and recognizes the achievements 
of State departments of transportation, the highway 
construction industry and the Federal Highway Administration 
for their contributions to the construction of the Interstate 
Highway System and the quality of life of the citizens of the 
United States.

            LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    On April 5, 2006 the Full Committee met in open session and 
ordered H. Con. Res. 372 favorably reported, as amended, by 
voice vote.

                             ROLLCALL VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives 
requires each committee report to include the total number of 
votes cast for and against on each rollcall vote on a motion to 
report, and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, 
and the names of those members voting for and against. There 
were no rollcall votes.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    With respect to the requirements clause 3(c)(1) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in this report.

                          COST OF LEGISLATION

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the committee estimates that adopting 
H. Con. Res. 372 would result in no significant cost to the 
federal government.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

    1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee 
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes 
funding, and that there will be no change in funding levels to 
Federal-aid highway programs as a result of this legislation.
    2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that 
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and 
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
    3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that 
authorizes funding and that no report of the Congressional 
Budget Office is necessary.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    Pursuant to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or 
joint resolution of a public character shall include a 
statement citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in 
the Constitution to enact the measure. The Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure finds that Congress has the 
authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted 
under article I, section 8 of the Constitution.

                        PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1994 
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the 
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local or 
tribal law. The Committee states that H. Con. Res. 372 does not 
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. (Public Law 
104-1).

         CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

    H. Con. Res. 372 makes no changes to existing law.

                                  
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