Spring 1997 Newsletter page 2

(Continued from Page 1) preservation bill, I have met with several Congressmen in Washington, as well as the Legislative Aide to your Senator Pete Domenici.
As you know, a very extensive Route 66 study was authorized by Senator Domenici and conducted by the National Park Service. The study presented five alternative solutions as possible answers to preserving the road. Of the five, Senator Domenicis office, the National Trust and we believe the most realistic alternative is number five. In a nutshell, this plan forms a multifaceted, administrative committee to implement and oversee a preservation plan. Were hoping the bill will be introduced this spring.
The Federation has grown from the two of us three years ago to nearly 1,000 members today. In addition to our work with the bill, we have instituted a watchdog program called "Adopt-A-Hundred" where members adopt 100 mile stretches of the Route 66 and keep an eye on them. We have also set up the Steinbeck Award program, where each year, an individual who has contributed to the preservation of the road is honored. Last year, Michael Wallis, author of Route 66: The Mother Road, was given the first award at "Run to the Heartland" in Landergin, Texas.
Our nationwide advertising and articles, as well as our

worldwide website [http://www.national66.com/~natl66] have also created many allies by calling attention to the declining condition of the road. So we think were beginning to scratch the surface in our preservation efforts. Ultimately, we would like to see at least one high quality Route 66 museum/visitor center in each of the eight states. We hope that will be phase two of the road's preservation.

Of course, we can not do it alone. Thats why we are so happy that all of you have resurrected your state association. Just as importantly, it is off to a healthy start with preservation in mind. The more interest we generate in the Mother Road, the longer she will live. To show support for the Domenici bill, send letters to:

    The Honorable Pete V. Domenici
    United States Senator, New Mexico
    Hart Senate Office Building, Room 328
    Washington, DC 20510

You can also send a copy to his legislative assistant, Mr. Gary K. Ziehe Ph.D., Legislative at the same address.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday, July 10, 1997, 11:00 a.m. GO UNDERGROUND!!! IN GRANTS, courtesy of Ed Jungbluth of Cibola County Chamber of Commerce. After the tour, we will meet at noon for lunch at the Monte Carlo Restaurant. Meeting will follow.

Saturday, September 13, 1997, noon. Meet at El Comedor in Moriarty and meeting will follow. If time permits, we will tour Moriarty Historical Museum and Visitor Center, courtesy of Susie McComb.

Thursday, November 13, 1997, noon. Meet in the Kokopelli Room at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St., NW in Albuquerque. Meeting will follow.

ENCORE OF A FAVORITE

Fans from over the country applaud the Jan Underwood map for driving New Mexico's Route 66. In response to Mike Pitel's Department of Tourism press release, we have sold maps to people in Florida, Arkansas, Broken Arrow, OK, Tyrone, NM, with the first prize going to Las Cruces, where they ordered 12. Each person was sent a map and invited to become a member. They were told they could deduct cost of map from dues expense, and we have had takers.
Anticipating the fond acceptance, we asked Richard's Printing to print an overrun of the map insert. However, we soon realized that we always want our treasure map surrounded by membership news with an application attached rather than to give it out by itself. This Spring issue solves the problem by recycling the map as our current insert. Our advertisers were more than happy to pay for a reprisal. In the Summer issue, Editor David Bahm will set up a new page of ads, so get your bid in early. We have room for ten and already have sold two. Thank you for your positive feedback, and thanks to Jan Underwood, who with David Kammer's historical advice, designed the instructive guide.

TUCUMCARI TONITE!!!


You've been asking for a car cruise and here is your opportunity. You can start in Gallup along Route 66 during New Mexico Heritage Week from Saturday, May 10 through Sunday, May 18.

A group will leave Albuquerque late morning on Friday, May 16, have lunch in Santa Rosa and visit the air strip there that was once part of Route 66. We'll spend the night in Tucumcari, in order to get an early start with all the festivities Saturday morning.
The celebrations in Tucumcari begin at 8:00 a.m. with a bicycle cruise to the Texas border. Governor Johnson will lead the way and T-shirts will be given to the first 100 participants. At noon, a vintage car show turns into a parade through downtown, ending at the Convention Center. Business sponsors are providing cash prizes with trophies.
This will also be a weekend of classic car movies, i.e., American Graffiti and Thelma & Louise, at the local movie theater. Saturday evening, the Bill Case Combo will play dance music from 8:00 p.m. until midnight. Don't even think of missing this special event. Further details on enclosed flyer. Sign up and send it in.
We can discuss this at the April 22 meeting...see page 8 for time and location.

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