Napolitano, San Gabriel Valley Mayors Praise Congressional Passage of Route 66 Centennial Commission Act
(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32) and mayors of cities in her district praised unanimous House passage of the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act (H.R. 66/S. 1014), sending the legislation coauthored by Napolitano, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) to the President's desk.
"Route 66 runs east to west through my entire district and continues to provide vital transportation, economic, and community benefits to our San Gabriel Valley and American society," Napolitano said. "Our local restaurants, shops, and other businesses, like so many others dotting the interstate from the heartland to the west coast, provide rest breaks for travelers, allowing them to sample all the local flavors of our communities that are proud to be connected by the Mother Road. As we are now just nearly 5 years away from the centennial, our legislation will aid the efforts of cities, like those in my district, who are reinvesting in Route 66. I commend our mayors, local chambers of commerce, and LA County for their ongoing work to revitalize and preserve Route 66 for future generations."
"Congresswoman Napolitano has always been a great leader in our community. I am very pleased to have Congresswoman Napolitano champion the H.R. 66. This will bring in the much-needed infrastructure improvements and enrich our livelihood and catalyze new economic development all throughout route 66. Thank you for your hard work once again." – Mayor Samuel Kang, City of Duarte
"In 2003, Glendora was the first city in California to change the name of its main street - which until 1964 was U.S. highway 66 and also known as Alosta Avenue, back to Route 66. We are proud to support Congresswoman Napolitano's bill to create a commission to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66." – Mayor Michael Allawos, City of Glendora
"For generations, our community has 'gotten its kicks on Route 66.' We are so proud to have one of America's most iconic roads running through our city. The historical designation of Route 66 will allow it to continue to be an integral part of our region's culture and economy." – Mayor Tim Hepburn, City of La Verne
Route 66 runs through the cities of La Verne, San Dimas, Glendora, Azusa, Duarte, and Monrovia, known in most of Napolitano's district as Foothill Boulevard and Huntington Drive. The commission created by the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act would be made up of representatives from each of the eight Route 66 states and would recommend activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 2026. The Route 66 Ahead Partnership supports this legislation.
# # #