To authorize a study on methods to commemorate the nationally significant highway
known as Route 66, and for other purposes.
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 Study Act of 1990"
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that (1) United States Route 66, the 2,000 mile highway from
Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, played a significant role in the
20th-century history of our Nation, including the westward migration from the Dust Bowl
and the increase in tourist travel;
(2) Route 66, an early example of the 1926 National Highway System program, transverses
the States of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and
California;
(3) Route 66 has become a symbol of the American people's heritage of travel ant their
legacy of seeking a better life and has been enshrined in American popular culture;
(4) although the remnants of Route 66 are disappearing, many structures, features, and
artifacts of Route 66 remain; and
(5) given the interest by organized groups and State governments in the preservation of
features associated with Route 66, the route's history, and its role in American popular
culture, a coordinated evaluation of preservation options should be undertaken.
SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT 8Y THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. (a) STUDY. -
(1) The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park
Service and in cooperation with the respective States, shall coordinate a comprehensive
study of United States Route 66. Such study shall include an evaluation of the
significance of Route 66 in American history, options for preservation and use of
remaining segments of Route 66, and options for the preservation and interpretation of
significant features associated with the highway. The study shall consider private sector
preservation alternatives.
(2) The study shall include participation by representatives from each of the States
traversed by Route 66, the State historic preservation offices, representatives of
associations interested in the preservation of Route 66 and its features, and persons
knowledgeable in American history, historic preservation, and popular culture.
(b) REPORT. - Not later than two years from the date that funds are made available for the
study referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary shall transmit such study to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on
Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives.
(c) LlMITATION. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the National Park
Service to assume responsibility for the maintenance of United States Route 66.
SEC 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS There are authorized to be
appropriated $200,OOO to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Approved September 28, 1990.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY - S.963 (H.R. 3493):
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 101-637 accompanying H.R. 3493 (Comm. on Interior and Insular
Affairs)
SENATE REPORTS: No. 101-89 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources)
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD):
Vol. 135 (1989): Aug. 2, considered and passed Senate.
Vol. 136 (1990): July 30. H.R. 3493 considered and passed House.
July 31, S. 963 considered and passed House, amended, in lieu of HR 3493.
Sept 13, Senate concurred in House amendment.
Reprinted from:
Special Resource Study Route 66
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service (See Credits)
NPS D-4 July 1995.
