I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 66 
To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct the Secretary 
of Transportation to prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 
66, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 3, 2017 
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois (for himself, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. LAHOOD, 
Mr. KINZINGER, Mr. BOST, Mr. SCHIFF, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. SHIMKUS, 
Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. LONG, Mr. LUCAS, and Mr. FOSTER) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct 
the Secretary of Transportation to prepare a plan on 
the preservation needs of Route 66, and for other pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Route 66 Centennial 
Commission Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
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(1) Route 66 was the Nation’s first all-paved 
highway under the U.S. Highway System connecting 
the Midwest to California and has played a major 
role in the history of the United States. 
(2) Route 66 was the symbol of opportunity to 
hundreds of thousands of people seeking escape from 
the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, serving as a ‘‘road to 
opportunity’’ in the West and providing employment 
during the Great Depression, as thousands were put 
to work on road crews to pave the road. 
(3) Route 66 was invaluable in transporting 
troops, equipment, and supplies across the country 
to the West, where the government established mul-
tiple industries and armed force bases during World 
War II. Upon the conclusion of the war in 1945, 
Route 66 was a key route taken by thousands of 
troops as they returned home. 
(4) Route 66 symbolized the Nation’s positive 
outlook during the postwar economic recovery in the 
1950s and 1960s, serving as an icon of free-spirited 
independence and linking people across the United 
States. During this period, the tourist industry 
along Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise to 
countless tourist courts, motels, service stations, ga-
rages, and diners. 
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(5) Since June 27, 1985, when Route 66 was 
decommissioned as a Federal highway, the popu-
larity and mythical stature of Route 66 has grown 
domestically and internationally, as the road has ex-
perienced a rebirth of interest and support. 
(6) The year 2026 will be the centennial anni-
versary of Route 66, and a commission should be es-
tablished to study and recommend to Congress ac-
tivities that are fitting and proper to celebrate that 
anniversary in a manner that appropriately honors 
America’s Mother Road. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
Route 66 Centennial Commission (referred to in this Act 
as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 4. DUTIES. 
The Commission shall have the following duties: 
(1) To study activities that may be carried out 
by the Federal Government to determine whether 
the activities are fitting and proper to honor Route 
66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary, in-
cluding any of the activities described under section 
8(b)(2)(B). 
(2) To recommend to Congress the activities 
the Commission considers most fitting and proper to 
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honor Route 66 on such occasion, to be carried out 
by the Department of Transportation and any other 
entity or entities within the Federal Government 
that the Commission considers most appropriate to 
carry out such activities. 
(3) To plan and host, in cooperation with such 
partners, a conference on the U.S. Numbered High-
way System, and assist in the activities of such a 
conference. 
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 19 members appointed as follows: 
(1) Three members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President. 
(2) Two members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President on the recommendation of 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
(3) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Illinois. 
(4) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
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President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Missouri. 
(5) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Kansas. 
(6) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Oklahoma. 
(7) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Texas. 
(8) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
New Mexico. 
(9) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Arizona. 
(10) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
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President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
California. 
(11) Three members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President on the recommendation of 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con-
sultation with the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives. 
(12) Three members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President on the recommendation of 
the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation 
with the minority leader of the Senate. 
(b) QUALIFIED CITIZEN.—A qualified citizen de-
scribed in this subsection is a private citizen of the United 
States with— 
(1) a demonstrated dedication to educating oth-
ers about the importance of historical figures and 
events; and 
(2) substantial knowledge and appreciation of 
Route 66. 
(c) TIME OF APPOINTMENT.—Each initial appoint-
ment of a member of the Commission shall be made before 
the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
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(d) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a member 
of the Commission was appointed to the Commission as 
a Member of Congress, and ceases to be a Member of Con-
gress, that member may continue to serve on the Commis-
sion for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on 
the date that member ceases to be a Member of Congress. 
(e) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission. 
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall 
not affect the powers of the Commission but shall be filled 
in the manner in which the original appointment was 
made. 
(g) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve on the Com-
mission without pay. 
(h) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(i) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold 
hearings. 
(j) CHAIR.—The President, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Transportation, shall designate one member 
of the Commission as Chair. 
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(k) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chair. 
SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission may appoint and 
fix the pay of a Director and such additional personnel 
as the Commission considers to be appropriate. 
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.— 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The Director of the Commis-
sion may be appointed without regard to the provi-
sions of title 5, United States Code, governing ap-
pointments in the competitive service, and may be 
paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relat-
ing to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(2) STAFF.—The staff of the Commission shall 
be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance 
with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III 
of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification 
and General Schedule pay rates. 
SEC. 7. POWERS. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such 
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hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers to be appropriate. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
Commission, take any action that the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this Act. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any department or agency of the 
United States information necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chair 
of the Commission, the head of that department or agency 
shall furnish that information to the Commission. 
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
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SEC. 8. REPORTS. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub-
mit to Congress such interim reports as the Commission 
considers to be appropriate. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 
shall submit to the President and Congress a report 
incorporating specific recommendations for the com-
memoration of the centennial of Route 66 and re-
lated events. 
(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report under 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) shall include recommendations for the 
allocation of financial and administrative re-
sponsibility among the public and private au-
thorities and organizations recommended for 
participation by the Commission; and 
(B) may recommend activities such as— 
(i) the production, publication, and 
distribution of books, pamphlets, films, 
electronic publications, and other edu-
cational materials focusing on the history 
and impact of Route 66 on the United 
States and the world; 
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(ii) bibliographical and documentary 
projects, publications, and electronic re-
sources; 
(iii) conferences, convocations, lec-
tures, seminars, and other programs; 
(iv) the development of programs by 
and for libraries, museums, parks, and his-
toric sites, including national traveling ex-
hibitions; 
(v) ceremonies and celebrations com-
memorating specific events; 
(vi) the production, distribution, and 
performance of artistic works, and of pro-
grams and activities, focusing on the na-
tional and international significance of 
Route 66; and 
(vii) the issuance of commemorative 
coins, medals, certificates of recognition, 
and postage stamps. 
(c) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall submit 
to the President and Congress a final report not later than 
90 days before the termination of the Commission pro-
vided in section 10. 
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SEC. 9. PLAN ON PRESERVATION NEEDS OF ROUTE 66. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation, 
in consultation with the Governors referred to in section 
5(a), shall prepare a plan on the preservation needs of 
Route 66. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives, the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the 
President a report containing the plan prepared under 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 10. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE. 
Any spending authority provided under this Act shall 
be effective only to such extent and in such amounts as 
are provided in appropriation Acts. 
SEC. 11. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate not later than June 
30, 2027. 
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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