Proposal to put Trump’s name on Route 66 faces headwinds.

(Editor’s note: A condensed/edited version of this story appears in the Friday, Nov. 8, issue of The Joplin Globe. The full version appears below.)

Historic Route 66 is known by multiple names including The Mother Road, America’s Main Street and the Will Rogers Memorial Highway.

A section of the roadway, running between Commerce and Miami, Oklahoma may add another moniker to the list, as two Oklahoma Senators want to name a portion of the roadway entering the state for President Donald J. Trump.

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, and his co-author, Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, have drafted a bill naming a section of Route 66 from Commerce to the industrial park in Miami after Trump.

Dahm began the legislative process on Tuesday, Nov. 5. While some outlets reported he had pulled the legislation on Thursday, Nov. 7, Dahm said that was incorrect.

“We are willing to look at other options, but we are still pursing the bill as is,” Dahm said. “I told statewide organizations and entities I would be more than willing to look at other options.”

Dahm said Route 66 remains his first choice, because of it’s historical significance.

“The Mother Road is larger than life, just like President Trump,” Dahm said. “We wanted to do something at the same level as President Trump, either there, or somewhere else.

“I prefer Route 66 because it’s historic, just like President Trump.”

Quinn said using the phrase “re-naming” is incorrect. The road would remain listed as Historic Route 66. It would be co-named after the president.

“As you travel Route 66 through Oklahoma, there’s a number of individuals who have sections of the highway named after them,” Quinn said. “In Claremore, there are two different sections [with additional names].

“I’m very proud to be supporting [the legislation] because of my support of our president.”

Dahm developed the legislation as a way to honor the historical aspect of Trump’s presidency to-date. He also sees it as a way to keep revisionists of history from re-writing Trump’s legacy.

Quinn agreed. He signed on to support Dahm’s legislation for two reasons: one, the measure will not require tax monies to implement, and two, it would honor and highlight Trump’s efforts to improve the country’s economy – thus boosting the amount of jobs available.

The pair, Quinn said, chose the stretch of Route 66 which enters the state because of the symbolic nature presented by a town named Commerce.

“We wanted to recognize this president and the conservative values,” Quinn said. “The obvious choice was Commerce. We had no intent to diminish the road itself, or to be hurtful or harmful.

“It wouldn’t bother me to name a stretch in Claremore after Trump.”

If the legislation passes, Dahm stresses the costs associated with the new signage would be paid for by the two senators, and the house members who sign on to support the effort, including Rep. Shawn Roberts, R-Hominy.

Statewide response

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also serves as the state’s secretary for tourism and branding, said he is working with Dahm and Quinn to pursue other options, rather than changing the branding of Route 66.

“Route 66 is called one thing, Historic Route 66,” Pinnell said. “We need to be very sensitive to creating an easy, navigable route. The more signage we add, the more confusion there is. That is the last thing we need, as there is a renaissance taking place with Route 66.”

Pinnell is working with local and state leaders to create a system of “uniform branding” for Route 66, especially as the road’s centennial approaches. He plans to host a Route 66 Conference in December, bringing steak-holders from communities along the corridor together in Oklahoma City for discussion and planning purposes.

“We need to be working on better maps, mobile apps, and ways to productively lead people along the route,” Pinnell said, adding his opinion has nothing to do with the current president. “I don’t care if you want to call it Mother Teresa Highway or Donald Trump Highway; there is only one thing to call it, and that’s Historic Route 66.

“When you get into rebranding a historic highway like Route 66, that’s when you get into a big problem.”

While Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, does not have a problem with naming a roadway after the president, as the chairman of the house tourism committee, he does not want to jeopardize the impact Route 66 has within the state’s economy.

“It’s an economic driver for the communities [along the roadway] and the state,” West said. “There are thousands of miles of roadway in Oklahoma. They can choose another road.

“I don’t see the need to change Historic Route 66. People drive on it for the nostalgic experience.”

West co-authored the legislation which established the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission. It went into effect on Nov. 1.

He questions the timing of Dahm’s bill, as the commission and others begin preparation for the centennial celebration.

West also questions if the two men had considered how the roadway impacts the DNA of the local economy, specifically looking at the town of Commerce.

“Personally, I don’t see this as being a priority now,” West said.

The section of Route 66 under consideration by Dahm and Quinn falls within the area represented by Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami, or Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair. Neither men were consulted before word of the potential legislation hit the news.

Bergstrom contends Route 66 has a legacy which should not be tampered with.

“The name ‘Route 66’ is historically important, it is iconic,” he said. “As we move forward with our plans for commemorating the Mother Road’s hundredth anniversary and expanding our tourism with that, it’s best if we avoid anything that might be a distraction.”

Loring said he was frustrated, because he learned of the issue when constituents began calling him with concerns.

He worries naming the roadway after Trump would detract from the town’s primary legacy – Mickey Mantle.

He also questions naming the roadway after someone who is still living, adding he would still be against the measure if it sought to honor former Presidents Barak Obama or William Jefferson Clinton.

“[Someone living] could do things which really end up embarrassing you,” Loring said. “The first thing that comes to my mind is Tulsa University, who took the name [off of] a university building, because it came to light he wasn’t as great of guy as they thought he was.”

He also questions why the men chose to make the proposal take place in another legislator’s district.

“If they want to do it, they ought to do it in their own district,” Loring said. “Part of Route 66 runs through Quinn’s district, although I’m adamantly opposed to [changing Route 66].

“They both have plenty of highways in their own district, why not do this in their own districts.”

Local response

Both Miami Mayor Rudy Schultz and Commerce Mayor Michael Hart learned about the possible legislation as news broke of the senators plans.

Both men said they were surprised neither Dahm or Quinn had contacted local officials for their input on the issue.

As of Thursday, neither mayors had spoken to the two senators. Dahm indicated on Thursday he wanted to have the bill filed – to see the public response – before contacting local officials.

Schultz raised concerns on how this legislation may impact the branding efforts led by Pinnell, making Route 66 the centerpiece of the state’s tourism outreach.

Shultz said he is against anything that goes in contrary to that branding.

“This is a major tourism corridor,” Shultz said. “We are the doorstep into Oklahoma. It’s an ill-conceived idea contrary to the branding initiative which is about to be kicked off.”

Hart wondered if Dahm and Quinn had traveled to Commerce to see what takes place in the small town thanks to Route 66.

“I don’t think they quite understand the importance Route 66 has in terms of travel and tourism,” Hart said, adding thousands of visitors visit the town for ice cream at the local shop or pictures at a historic gas station.

“I always like to try to understand things before I make an official judgement, hearing the facts and analyzing the issue,” Hart said. “But on the surface, I’m absolutely against this, because I don’t see a good reason at this time.

“Nothing against President Trump. He’s done great things as the president. I think, at this particular time, this [issue] needs to be explored more.”

He has encouraged his constituents to reach out to local legislators and to the senators, to create a dialogue with their concerns.

Impacting tourism, business

Amanda Davis, executive director of the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Charlotte Howe, president and CEO of the Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce, have both raised concerns regarding the proposed name changes.

“Route 66 is a national treasure,” Davis said. “I think we have to be very careful to keep politics completely out of it. I understand they want to do something to honor the president – that is not a bad idea – but we don’t want to do anything that would distract or draw attention away from [the road].”

Davis said the roadway’s attachment to Will Roger’s legacy, is a huge selling point when marketing Route 66 to tourists.

“It has an authentic and rich tradition,” Davis said. “We have to be very careful and not mix politics with hospitality.”

Davis said naming a roadway within Oklahoma after Trump has merits.

“Honoring the president is an important thing,” Davis said. “But we need to keep [Route 66] for what it is. For Commerce that means Mickey Mantle.”

Howe echoed Davis’ belief that Route 66 plays an important role in northeast Oklahoma.

“People want to drive Route 66 to see America,” Howe said. “This helps Chamber members, because visitors come to Miami, see how great it is, shop in our stores and get gas at our stations. Route 66 is vital to our local economy.”

Howe said the highway impacts economic development, because often visitors come to the city, fall in love with the area, and then decide to develop businesses within the region.

Sidebar

Legislative Process

Unsure what happens in the state legislature once a bill is filed? Here’s a look at the process.

In December, members of the Oklahoma legislature begin to reserve titles indicating the subject of potential legislation.

In January, the language of the legislation is due, and must be filed formally by the middle of the month. So legislation is ready to be heard when the session begins in February.

The process in the senate – mirrored in the house – means bills go before the floor leader and the chamber’s leadership, and are then assigned to committees.

Committee chairmen then assign dates, when the proposed legislation will be heard.

If the legislation passes out of the committee, members have 48 hours to offer amendments.

After the 48 hours passes, the legislation has an opportunity to be heard on the chamber floor for a vote.

In March, if the chamber has voted in favor of the legislation, it is sent the other chamber. In this case, the measure would go before the house.

After following the same procedures, as in the senate, the measure would then go before the house floor for a vote.

If both chambers approve the measure, it would go before the govenor for approval.