Restoring the Names That Honor American Greatness – The White House

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, it is ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. It is in the national interest to promote our nation’s extraordinary heritage and ensure that 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 to our nation’s rich past.

Second. 2. Appointments to the American Board on Geographic Names. (a) Within seven days after the date of this order, each head of agency having the authority to appoint members of the Board on Geographic Names (Board) pursuant to 43 USC 364a, shall review its respective nominations and consider replacement these persons appointed in accordance with the applicable provisions. law.

(b) The Secretary of the Interior will review and consider additional appointments to the Council to assist in carrying out all aspects of this order, subject to all applicable laws.

(c) With respect to all nomination and renaming requests submitted to the newly constituted Board of Directors, the Board will 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 necessary to implement this policy.

(d) When Congressional action is necessary to establish a name change in public law, after the Council’s approval of the name change, the Council shall provide guidance to all affected Federal agencies to use the name change. name approved by the Council in the meantime in federal documents and ensure consistency across the country. federal government.

Second. 3. Rename 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 experienced rapid economic growth and prosperity, including an expansion of territorial gains for the nation. President McKinley championed tariffs to protect America’s manufacturing industry, boost domestic production, and propel American industrialization and its global reach to new heights. He was tragically assassinated in an attack on our nation’s values ​​and success, and he should be honored for his unwavering commitment to American greatness.

In 1917, the country officially honored President McKinley by naming the highest peak in North America. Yet after nearly a century, President Obama’s administration removed the McKinley name from federal nomenclature in 2015, an affront to President McKinley’s life, accomplishments, and 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 after the date of this Order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, pursuant to 43 USC 364 through 364f, reinstate the name “Mount McKinley.” The Secretary will then update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the name change and reinstatement of Mount McKinley. The national park area surrounding Mount McKinley will retain the name Denali National Park and Preserve.

(c) The Secretary of the Interior will work with Alaska Native entities and state and local organizations to adopt monument names honoring the history and culture of the Alaska people.

Second. 4. Gulf of America. (a) The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral part of our once thriving nation and has remained an indelible part of America. The Gulf was a crucial artery for early American and global trade. It is the largest gulf in the world, and the U.S. coastline along this remarkable body of water extends more than 1,700 miles and contains nearly 160 million acres. Its natural resources and wildlife remain at the heart of the American economy today. The abundant geology of this basin has made it one of the most prodigious oil and gas regions in the world, providing approximately 14% of our nation’s crude oil production and an abundance of natural gas, and constantly fueling new and innovations that have allowed us to exploit some of the deepest and richest oil deposits in the world. The Gulf is also home to vibrant U.S. fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crabs 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. across the nation, contributing millions of dollars to local U.S. economies. The Gulf is also a favored destination for American tourism and recreational activities. Additionally, the Gulf is a vital region for the multibillion-dollar U.S. maritime industry and home to some of the world’s largest and most impressive ports. The Gulf will continue to play a central role in shaping the future of America and the global economy, and in recognition of this thriving economic resource and its critical importance to our country’s economy and its people, I order that it be officially renamed the Gulf of America. .

(b) As such, within 30 days of the date of this Order, the Secretary of the Interior shall, pursuant to 43 USC 364 through 364f, take all appropriate actions to rename the “Gulf of America” the area of ​​the American continental shelf demarcated. northeast, north and northwest through the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the maritime border with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly called the Gulf of Mexico. The Secretary will then update the GNIS to reflect the name change of the Gulf and remove all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS, consistent with applicable law. The Council will provide guidance to ensure that all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications, reflect its name change.

Second. 5. Additional action. The Secretary of the Interior may seek input from the public and intergovernmental bodies regarding additional patriots to be honored, particularly in light of America’s half-fiftieth anniversary celebrations, and will recommend actions to me, e.g. through the President’s Assistant for Domestic Policy.

Second. 6. General provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed as impairing or otherwise affecting:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or to its head; Or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative or legislative proposals.

(b) This Order will be implemented in accordance 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.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

January 20, 2025.