49–006 

109TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 109–499 

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; 


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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. 


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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. 


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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. 

Æ 


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