underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
SENATE MEMORIAL 17
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Pete Campos
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL OF ROUTE 66 AND ITS LEGACY IN NEW
MEXICO.
WHEREAS, United States highway 66, better known as route
66, was a product of a grassroots movement for better roads and
was one of the original highways and a main artery of the
United States numbered highway system when it was established
in 1926; and
WHEREAS, route 66 was known as "the great diagonal
highway" that began in Chicago; sliced through the midwest;
rolled across the great plains; straddled the deserts and
mountainscapes of the great Southwest, including the beautiful
Santa Rosa area; and ended at the edge of the Pacific ocean in
Santa Monica, California; and
WHEREAS, route 66 became a symbol for the American
.230121.1 underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
heritage and legacy of travel and seeking fulfillment by moving
west; and
WHEREAS, Santa Rosa came of age during this transportation
era, first through the connection of the Chicago, Rock Island
and Pacific railroad and the El Paso northern railway on
December 26, 1901, and then twenty-five years later when route
66 was defined through existing roadways in Santa Rosa and New
Mexico; and
WHEREAS, route 66 in Santa Rosa went straight through the
downtown's main street, then turned east at what is now Lake
drive and Fourth street, eventually passing Blue Hole, Santa
Rosa's natural spring water swimming and diving paradise; and
WHEREAS, in 1937, a redesign of route 66 established the
route as it is today, and many restaurants, bars, motels and
gas stations were built along the way to serve the traveling
public; and
WHEREAS, many Santa Rosa residents recall an upbringing
with parents, grandparents and great-grandparents that raised
families with ties to route 66-related businesses and legacies;
and
WHEREAS, in 1972, interstate 40 was completed and took
route 66's place as a legacy to automobile travel; and
WHEREAS, in 2026, Santa Rosa will join the nation in
celebrating the centennial and legacy of route 66, known as
"the mother road", as a national treasure; and
.230121.1
- 2 - underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
WHEREAS, many celebrations are planned in Santa Rosa,
including a new lighted sign across the bridge at the middle
interchange, a musical road on the west side of town and
tourist-friendly projects such as a new website and events
calendar;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE
OF NEW MEXICO that recognition be extended to the centennial of
route 66 in Santa Rosa and throughout New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor.
- 3 -
.230121.1