Resolution; Route 66 Day; recognition; economic and cultural impact.

Resolution
ENROLLED HOUSE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 1024 By: Hildebrant, Cornwell,
Banning, and Hill of the
House

and

Seifried of the Senate

A Resolution designating April 21 as Route 66 Day;
recognizing individual's contribution to Route 66 in
Oklahoma; recognizing the cultural and economic
impact of Route 66 in Oklahoma; and providing for
distribution.

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Public Roads, the predecessor to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, officially approved the national
highway system on November 11, 1926, making 2026 the one hundredth
anniversary of Route 66; and

WHEREAS, Cyrus Stevens Avery from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was appointed
chairman of the Oklahoma Highway Commission in 1924 and through this
role he was instrumental in determining the path of Route 66 from
Chicago to Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Cyrus Avery and B.P. Piepmeier sent a telegram to the
Bureau of Public Roads in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 1926,
accepting the designation of the route from Chicago to Los Angeles
as Highway 66; and

WHEREAS, Cherokee citizen, Andy Payne, from Foyil, Oklahoma, won
the "Bunion Derby" in 1928, a 3,423-mile transcontinental race from
Los Angeles to New York in 573 hours, 4 minutes, and 34 seconds,
conceived by sports promoter Charles Pyle to promote Route 66; and

ENR. H. C. R. NO. 1024 Page 2
WHEREAS, in 1935, the U.S. Highway 66 Association designated
Route 66 as the "Will Rogers Highway" in honor of Will Rogers,
Oklahoma's favorite son; and

WHEREAS, Oklahoma has over 400 drivable miles of Route 66 today,
more than any other state; and

WHEREAS, Oklahoma counties with a section of Route 66 realize
more than 12 million annual visitors with more than $1 billion in
direct earnings due to travel and support more than 46,000 jobs
directly related to travel and tourism; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, the Oklahoma Legislature created the Oklahoma
Route 66 Commission to provide grants for historic preservation and
economic development in communities along the road and over $21
million has been awarded to date; and

WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission has planned
special events throughout 2026 including the largest centennial
celebration in the nation on May 30.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma House and Senate recognize April 21, 2026, as
Route 66 Day at the Capitol.

THAT the Oklahoma House and Senate celebrate the one hundredth
anniversary of Route 66 and the many Oklahomans throughout the years
who have contributed to its success.

THAT the Oklahoma House and Senate offer sincere thanks to the
Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Oklahoma Route 66
Commission and their partner agencies.

THAT copies of this resolution be distributed to Lt. Governor
Matt Pinnell, chairman of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial
Commission, and Thomas Tillison, chairman of the Oklahoma Route 66
Commission.

ENR. H. C. R. NO. 1024 Page 3
Adopted by the House of Representatives the 21st day of April,
2026.

Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives

Adopted by the Senate the 21st day of April, 2026.

Presiding Officer of the Senate

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________