Commemorating the centennial of Route 66.

89(R) HR 1478 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 1478

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Preparations are underway across the country for the

centennial of Route 66; and

WHEREAS, In 1926, the Bureau of Public Roads established the

nation's first federal highway system; like other highways in the

system, Route 66 was composed of existing local, state, and

national roads; it quickly gained popularity through the efforts of

the U.S. 66 Highway Association, which advertised it as the most

scenic route from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Stretching 2,400 miles across two-thirds of the

continent, Route 66 spanned some 200 miles in Texas, with the

highway's geographical midpoint located in Adrian; the highway

became a catalyst for growth as entrepreneurs in towns along its

length established small businesses to serve travelers; commerce

increased when the Great Depression impelled many Americans to move

in search of better lives; although tourism declined significantly

during World War II, the highway's function as a military transport

corridor benefited motels, gas stations, and restaurants;

moreover, job seekers headed out on the road to join the defense

plant workforce on the West Coast; and

WHEREAS, Route 66 boomed in the post-war years as rationing

and travel restrictions vanished and car ownership expanded; the

freedom of the highway was lauded by Bobby Troup's big hit, "Route

66," and a television series of the same name raised its profile

further; during the Eisenhower administration, however, the advent

of the interstate system led to incremental replacement of U.S. 66

over the next three decades; in 1984, I-40 bypassed the last section

of the road, and the following year brought the official

decommissioning of Route 66; nevertheless, many Americans

understood the significance of the highway and organized groups to

encourage travel and preservation, and more than 150 miles of the

original route in Texas can still be driven today; since 1990, the

Old Route 66 Association of Texas has promoted tourism and

supported the restoration of signage and landmarks in collaboration

with local communities, tourism boards, business owners, and

museums; the Texas Legislature designated the state's segment as a

historic corridor, and in 2020, Congress established the Route 66

Centennial Commission in anticipation of celebrations; and

WHEREAS, A fabled roadway that shaped communities and

captured the national imagination, Route 66 continues to be a vital

economic and cultural artery as it approaches a momentous milestone

in its history; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby commemorate the centennial of Route 66 and

extend sincere best wishes to all those involved in preservation

efforts and celebrations; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for the Old Route 66 Association of Texas as an expression

of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Smithee

King

Fairly

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1478 was adopted by the House on June

2, 2025, by a non-record vote.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House