Spring 1999 Newsletter page 3

**HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 63** 44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999 INTRODUCED BY REP. RHONDA S. KING *A JOINT MEMORIAL*   REQUESTING THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH THE NEW MEXICO ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION, COMMUNITIES, INDIAN NATIONS, TRIBES AND PUEBLOS ALONG HISTORIC ROUTE 66 TO DEVELOP, PROMOTE AND MARKET NEW MEXICO'S HISTORIC ROUTE 66 IN PREPARATION FOR THE UPCOMING CELEBRATION OF THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF FORMER UNITED STATES ROUTE 66. WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has a large inventory of buildings and scenic vistas related to the remaining portions of former United States Route 66; and WHEREAS, heritage tourism related to historic Route 66 can help communities, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located along what is known as "America's Main Street" and the "Mother Road"; and WHEREAS, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the designation of Route 66 will be in 2001, and the state of New Mexico wishes to capitalize on the national celebration, the legend and the mythology by enhancing and marketing its Route 66 assets; and WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico wishes to use state and federal scenic byway funds to assist in the management, preservation and promotion of historic Route 66 in New Mexico; and WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico wishes to work with New Mexico Route 66 communities, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos to diversify their local economies with a heritage tourism strategy, boosting motel occupancy, restaurant, curio shop, automotive service, entertainment and recreational opportunities; and WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico recognizes the benefit of developing heritage tourism, which promotes local commitment to historic preservation and conservation of historic Route 66; and WHEREAS, most of New Mexico's communities, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos along historic Route 66, were bypassed in the 1960's by interstates 40 and 25, causing economic hardship; and WHEREAS, heritage tourism could restore and help strengthen the economic vitality of the communities, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos that were bypasses by interstates 40 and 25; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the tourism department work with the New Mexico Route 66 Association, communities, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos along historic Route 66 in the development and creation of marketing and promotion materials, such as event brochures and maps of New Mexico Route 66 for visitors to our state for the seventy-fifth anniversary; develop cultural, historical and recreational resource brochures for the seventy-fifth anniversary; develop cross-marketing and promotion of New Mexico Route 66 communities, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos; and collaborate and coordinate with other private and public tourism and visitors bureau organizations at local, regional and state levels for the seventy-fifth anniversary; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, the secretary of tourism, the secretary of economic development, mayors and county commissioners of cities and counties located along historic Route 66, and officials of the Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located along historic Route 66. Legendary Route 66 Songwriter Dies at 80 By David Bahm Songwriter Bobby Troup, remembered for "Get Your Kicks on Route 66," died of a heart attack on February 7, 1999 in Sherman Oaks, California. He was 80. Despite earning a business degree from the University of Pennsylvania and serving in the Marines during World War II, Troup's ambitions led him to California, where he was determined to carve his niche in music. It was during the long drive to California in 1946 that Troup wrote his famous song about the Mother Road. He and his wife Julie had just pulled onto Highway 66 in Illinois, and while Troup struggled to come up with a new song, Julie whispered, "What about 'Get Your Kicks on Route 66'?" Troup excitedly wrote the song that night while Julie drove. A couple of weeks later Troup met Nat King Cole who loved the song and immediately recorded it. It was an instant hit. To date, dozens of bands have remade and re-recorded the song, making it a classic worldwide. Troup wrote other well-known songs, including his first number one hit, "Daddy," which topped the charts for seven weeks and was sung by Sammy Kaye. Other works by Troup were "Baby, Baby all the Time" (also recorded by Nat King Cole), "The Meaning of the Blues" and "Girl Talk." In addition to song writing, Troup made numerous television appearances. In 1957, Troup hosted a television series entitled "Stars of Jazz," which featured many prominent jazz musicians of that era. During the 1970s, Troup appeared in episodes of M*A*S*H, Dragnet and Fantasy Island, to name a few. However, his most popular role was Dr. Early in the series "Emergency!," which aired from 1972-1977. Troup was the guest of honor during the 1985 ceremony in which the last remaining section of Route 66 was bypassed in Arizona. Crowds cheered, but Troup reprimanded them saying, "Why are you all cheering? This is a tragic day for America...this is the end of an era!" Troup is survived by his wife of 39 years, Julie London, as well as five children and one step-child.     75th Anniversary Route 66 National Diamond Jubilee Albuquerque · July 20-22, 2001 After several months of meetings between key stakeholders in developing a National 75th Anniversary celebration in Albuquerque, the group has finally taken the plunge. Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is the lead organization providing continuity and cohesiveness to development of the three day event July 20, 21, 22 of 2001. A scope of work and RFP have been issued to hire a professional event planner and a fund raiser capable of creating a national-class event. Major funding for these two positions has been generously provided by the City of Albuquerque through its Office of Economic Development and ACVB. In addition, the city's Cultural Services Department will be reviewing its Special Events and Cultural Calenders to provide events supportive of the Route 66 celebration. The Cultural Services Department has oversight of many of the key public facilities of Albuquerque, including the historic KiMo Theater and the Bio Park, both on Route 66, and will work with the events planner to coordinate Route 66 activities where appropriate. The New Mexico Route 66 Association will also partner with ACVB, helping to provide information and resources related to historic Route 66. As the events agenda is made public, the Association's web site, www.rt66nm.org, will set up a separate site to visit for specific 75th celebration information. Other groups who have participated in the initial planning have been: the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Department of Tourism, the city's Planning Department, the New Mexico MainStreet Program, the Albuquerque Inn Keepers Association, New Mexico Arts, the New Mexico Restaurant Association, the Tourism Association of New Mexico, the New Mexico Indian Tourism Association, as well as many community-based merchant associations and local MainStreet revitalization organizations. It's not too early to mark your calenders now... July 20-22, 2001!

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