Summer 1998
Senator Domenici Introduces Bill To Help Preserve
Route 66
by Sue Bohannan Mann
Great things are happening along New Mexico's Route 66, and we invite YOU
and ALL prospective members to take an active part. On June 4, 1998, Senator
Pete V. Domenici, with the cooperation of Senator Jeff Bingaman, introduced
Bill S. 2133 "To designate former U.S. Route 66 as 'America's Main
Street' and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance."
Domenici's office has requested that we help gather support for this bill
by asking people to write their respective senators and representatives.
Support is especially needed from other states. Spread the word.
The bill is expected to come to the floor for discussion some time this
year. It defines the term "Route 66" as portions of the highway
formerly designated as U.S. 66 that remain in existence and public and private
land in the vicinity of the highway. A preservation office would be established
to sustain America's Main Street through preservation or restoration of
portions of the highway, businesses, and sites of interest. The office would
also act as a clearinghouse for communication among Federal, State, and
local agencies and private persons interested in this preservation.
In general, the preservation office shall provide assistance with the safekeeping
of Route 66 in a manner compatible with the idiosyncratic nature of the
highway. The office will not prepare or require preparation of an overall
management plan for Route 66 but shall cooperate with the states and local,
public, and private persons. This will develop local preservation plans
and guide efforts to protect the most important or representative resources
of the famous road.
No doubt, inevitable changes will occur during Senate discussions, but the
general thrust of the bill, as I see it, is to preserve, protect, and restore
important parts of America's Main Street as determined by input from the
eight states. Realistically, individual states can accomplish many things,
but an overall plan would give a clear purpose and help restore Route 66
as a united route. You can visit the congressional website at http://thomas.loc.gov.
Enter S.2133 to read the entire bill and to track its progress. If you have
questions or want to comment, we want to hear from you. Please e-mail me
at info@rt66nm.org
or write to us. Thank you for your interest and support.
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Lillian Redman came to New Mexico with her parents in a covered wagon in 1912. She was given the Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari as an engagement present in 1958. Having previously worked as a Harvey Girl at the Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, she loved and promoted Route 66 while welcoming guests from all over the world during her 49 years as owner and personal host of the Blue Swallow Motel.
In May, Lillian was presented the 1998 Tourism Hall of Fame Award by Linda Waterman of Tourist Association of New Mexico. She will also be acknowledged at the Route 66 Governor's Conference in Gallup, October 28 - 30, 1998. For more information, call Gallup Visitor and Convention Center at (505) 863-3841.
