About the
Route 66
centennial
CommissIon
Why the Commission Exists:
The Commision exists because:
“Route 66 has become a symbol of the heritage of travel and the legacy of seeking a better life shared by the people of the United States, and because Route 66 has been enshrined in the popular culture of the United States”
Therefore, Congress enacted the “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act” in late 2020. This established an official body responsible for studying and recommending activities that are fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Public Law No: 116-256 of the 116th congress stipulates that the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission includes 15 members appointed by the President, based upon recommendations from the Secretary of Transportation, the Governors of the eight Route 66 states, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and House.
Route 66 Centennial Strategy
The strategy of the Route 66 Centennial is to celebrate and commemorate the historic milestone of the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 - and leverage it to honor the road by helping the millions who live, work, and travel along it.
The Establishing Law
The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, Public Law 116-256, was passed by the 116th Congress, and signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020.
This Public Law empowers the Commission to recommend activities that are fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary - and to recommend one or more entities in the Federal Government the Commission considers most appropriate to carry out those activities.
The Commission itself has no budget, nor does it have any implementation authority per the activities it recommends.
The Commissioners
The Route 66 Centennial Commission consists of 15 members appointed by the President, based upon recommendations from the Secretary of Transportation (3), the Governors of the eight Route 66 states (8), and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and House(4).
Rod Reid
Commission Chair
Recommended by:
Gov. Mike Parson, MO
Affiliation:
Co-Owner
Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets
Sec. Jen Paul Schroer
Commission Vice Chair
Recommended by:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, NM
Affiliation:
Cabinet Secretary Designate
New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Dept
Caroline Beteta
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Gov. Gavin Newsom, CA
Affilitation:
President/CEO
Visit California
Dannielle Blackshear
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Secretary Buttigieg, USDOT
Affiliation:
Transportation Specialist
Federal Highway Administration
Mark Falzone
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Secretary Buttigieg, USDOT
Affiliation:
President & CEO
Scenic America
Tim Gatz
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Gov. John Kevin Stitt, OK
Affiliation:
Sec. of Transportation
Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation
Debbie Johnson
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Gov. Doug Ducey, AZ
Affiliation:
Sr. Vice President
Miles Partnership
Dale Ogelsby
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Gov. Laura Kelly, KS
Affiliation:
Member
Kansas Route 66 Association
Charles Riley
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Affiliation:
Governor
Pueblo of Acoma
Joan Sestak
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Affiliation:
Dir. of Community and Government Relations
Univ. of Illinois, Springfield
Hon. Juliana Stratton
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Affiliation:
Bill Thomas
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Congressman Kevin McCarthy, CA
Affiliation:
Chairman
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
Trait Thompson
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Gov. John Kevin Stitt, OK
Affiliation:
Executve Director
Oklahoma Historical Society
Michael Wallis
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, CA
Affilitation:
Co-founder, Route 66 Alliance
Richard Ware
Commissioner
Recommended by:
Gov. Greg Abbott, TX
Affilitation:
Chairman and President of Amarillo National Bank