1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) Route 66 was the first all-paved highway in the United States under the United States Highway System connecting the Midwest to California, and has played a major role in the history of the United States; (2) Route 66 was the symbol of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people seeking escape from the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, serving as a road to opportunity in the West, and providing employment during the Great Depression, as thousands were put to work on road crews to pave the road; (3) Route 66 was invaluable in transporting troops, equipment, and supplies across the country to the West, where the Federal Government established multiple industries and military bases during World War II, and on the conclusion of the war in 1945, Route 66 was a key route taken by thousands of troops as they returned home; (4) Route 66 symbolized the positive outlook of the United States during the postwar economic recovery in the 1950s and 1960s, serving as an icon of free-spirited independence and linking people across the United States; (5) during the 1950s and 1960s, the tourist industry along Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise to countless tourist courts, motels, service stations, garages, and diners; (6) since June 27, 1985, when Route 66 was decommissioned as a Federal highway, the popularity and mythical stature of Route 66 has grown domestically and internationally, as the road has experienced a rebirth of interest and support