RESTORING NAMES THAT HONOR AMERICAN GREATNESS
This executive order mandates the renaming of Mount McKinley to its former name and the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." It also calls for a review of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names' appointees and their processes for naming and renaming geographical locations and directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement these changes.
The order emphasizes the importance of honoring American heroes and heritage in the naming of national landmarks.
Arguments For
- Intended benefits: Honors significant figures in American history, promotes patriotism, and reinforces national identity.
- Evidence cited: Highlights President McKinley's contributions to the Spanish-American War and economic growth, and the historical significance of the Gulf of Mexico to American trade and economy.
- Implementation methods: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take specific actions regarding renaming and updating geographical databases.
- Legal/historical basis: Order is issued under the authority vested in the President by the Constitution and laws of the United States, and cites relevant statutes (43 U.S.C. 364a, 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f).
Arguments Against
- Potential impacts: May cause offense or alienation among some groups, potentially igniting controversy and political debate. Could be perceived as an erasure of previous names and linked historical narratives.
- Implementation challenges: Potential legal challenges, logistical difficulties in updating maps and official documents, and the need for intergovernmental cooperation across multiple agencies.
- Alternative approaches: Engage in broader public discourse to decide on respectful and historically accurate names, create a more inclusive selection process for naming landmarks.
- Unintended effects: May divert resources from other priorities, could affect tourism and potentially cause unintended costs for businesses and organizations needing to update their maps and resources.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes. The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nation’s rich past.
This section establishes the executive order's purpose: to promote the nation's heritage and honor American heroes by carefully selecting names for national landmarks.
It asserts that the names should reflect the contributions of patriotic Americans.
Sec. 2. Appointments to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. (a) Within seven days of the date of this order, each agency head with authority to appoint members to the Board on Geographic Names (Board) pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 364a, shall review their respective appointees and consider replacing those appointees in accordance with applicable law.
(b) The Secretary of the Interior shall review and consider additional appointments to the Board to assist in fulfilling all aspects of this order, subject to all applicable laws.
(c) With respect to all applications for naming and renaming submitted to the newly constituted Board, the Board shall advance the policy established in section 1 of this order to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans and may update its principles, policies, and procedures as needed to achieve this policy.
(d) Where Congressional action is required to establish a renaming in public law, following Board approval on renaming, the Board shall provide guidance to all relevant Federal agencies to use the Board-approved name in the interim in federal documents and achieve consistency across the federal government.
This section outlines changes to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN).
Agency heads must review current BGN appointees and consider replacements.
The Secretary of the Interior will review and potentially make additional appointments.
The BGN will prioritize honoring patriotic Americans in future naming decisions and ensure consistency in federal usage of approved names, even if Congressional action is pending.
Sec. 3. Renaming of Mount McKinley. (a) President William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, heroically led our Nation to victory in the Spanish-American War. Under his leadership, the United States enjoyed rapid economic growth and prosperity, including an expansion of territorial gains for the Nation. President McKinley championed tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing, boost domestic production, and drive U.S. industrialization and global reach to new heights. He was tragically assassinated in an attack on our Nation’s values and our success, and he should be honored for his steadfast commitment to American greatness.
In 1917, the country officially honored President McKinley through the naming of North America’s highest peak. Yet after nearly a century, President Obama’s administration, in 2015, stripped the McKinley name from federal nomenclature, an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice.
This order honors President McKinley for giving his life for our great Nation and dutifully recognizes his historic legacy of protecting America’s interests and generating enormous wealth for all Americans.
(b) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, reinstate the name “Mount McKinley.” The Secretary shall subsequently update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming and reinstatement of Mount McKinley. The national park area surrounding Mount McKinley shall retain the name Denali National Park and Preserve.
(c) The Secretary of the Interior shall work with Alaska Native entities and state and local organizations to adopt names for landmarks to honor the history and culture of the Alaskan people.
This section addresses the renaming of Mount McKinley.
It justifies the renaming by highlighting President McKinley's accomplishments and criticizing the previous name change.
The Secretary of the Interior must reinstate the name "Mount McKinley" within 30 days and update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
The surrounding national park will retain its current name.
The Secretary will also work with Alaskan Native entities to recognize Alaskan culture through other landmark namings.
Sec. 4. Gulf of America. (a) The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America. The Gulf was a crucial artery for America’s early trade and global commerce. It is the largest gulf in the world, and the United States coastline along this remarkable body of water spans over 1,700 miles and contains nearly 160 million acres. Its natural resources and wildlife remain central to America’s economy today. The bountiful geology of this basin has made it one of the most prodigious oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14% of our Nation’s crude-oil production and an abundance of natural gas, and consistently driving new and innovative technologies that have allowed us to tap into some of the deepest and richest oil reservoirs in the world. The Gulf is also home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to local American economies. The Gulf is also a favorite destination for American tourism and recreation activities. Further, the Gulf is a vital region for the multi-billion-dollar U.S. maritime industry, providing some of the largest and most impressive ports in the world. The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.
(b) As such, within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, take all appropriate actions to rename as the “Gulf of America” the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly named as the Gulf of Mexico. The Secretary shall subsequently update the GNIS to reflect the renaming of the Gulf and remove all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS, consistent with applicable law. The Board shall provide guidance to ensure all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications shall reflect its renaming.
This section details the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." The rationale provided emphasizes the Gulf's historical and ongoing economic importance to the United States.
The Secretary of the Interior is directed to complete the renaming within 30 days and update the GNIS accordingly; the BGN will provide further guidance on ensuring consistent usage of the new name across all federal documents and communications.
Sec. 5. Additional Action. The Secretary of Interior may solicit public and intergovernmental input regarding additional patriots to honor, particularly in light of America’s semiquincentennial celebration, and shall recommend action to me, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to seek public input on identifying other figures to honor, especially in connection with the upcoming semiquincentennial celebration, and will submit recommendations to the President through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
This section contains general provisions.
It clarifies that the order does not diminish the authorities of existing executive departments or agencies or the Office of Management and Budget.
Implementation is subject to applicable law and available funding.
Finally, the order does not create any legally enforceable rights.