(The Center Square) – Tennessee senators are lining up behind a resolution that would encourage the state’s educators to say “Gulf of America” when referring to the oceanic basin between the United States and Mexico.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day of office renaming what has long been known as the Gulf of Mexico.
Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, filed a resolution that not only encourages the use of “Gulf of America” but also the use of Mount McKinley when referring to what has been called Mount Denali in Alaska.
“We most heartily agree with President Trump that ‘the naming of our national treasures … should honor the contribution of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nation’s rich past,'” the resolution said.
The bill does not require educators to use the terms.
The resolution filed Thursday has gained 19 prime cosponsors, including Lt. Gov. Randy McNally.
An Arkansas lawmaker tried to pass a similar resolution this week, but it failed, according to KNWA.
“I just thought this was a good bill to show that we’re willing to get President Trump’s agenda done on the state level as well as our federal delegation gets it done on the federal level,” Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, told the television station.