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An Iowa House proposal to ensure students refer to the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America” and Denali as “Mt. McKinley” advanced through subcommittee on Monday morning.

House Study Bill 97 would require classroom instruction and handouts provided to students in school districts, charter schools and innovation zone schools to make the changes.

An executive order by President Donald J. Trump changed the official names to Mt. McKinley and Gulf of America.

Heaven Chamberlain with Bitches Get Stuff Done spoke against the bill, noting it lacks clarity. Chamberlain said she’d like to challenge the representative who submitted the bill.

“We all know what the Gulf of Mexico is, it does not need to be Gulf of America,” she said.

Chamberlain said Iowa has a budget surplus but refuses to spend it on education. She noted the state used to be the “pinnacle” of education.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “Why are we printing pamphlets for children? We could be investing for children.”

Dave Daughton spoke on behalf of Rural School Advocates of Iowa and School Administrators of Iowa. He said the groups are undecided. Daughton added he isn’t sure how a state law can impact an executive order, but noted as teachers deal with the issue in classrooms good conversations about landmarks and names will follow.

Republican State Rep. Bob Henderson said he believes Gulf of America is a more appropriate name since half of the gulf borders the United States of America and the other half borders Mexico. Both countries are part of North America or Central America, he said.

“So the Gulf of America seems to be the more appropriate name for that,” he said.

Democrat State Rep. Mary Madison said she believes it is “unnecessary” and an additional cost.

“It’s a political move that doesn’t take into consideration the people of both places,” Madison said. “It’s a cultural move that disregards the culture of those people.”

President Barack Obama changed the name to Denali. Madison said people were happy with that change, but the only person who is upset or wants to change it is doing it for “political reasons.”

“I don’t think we have to jump every time somebody wants to do something,” Madison said. “Especially when it costs us money that we won’t put into our public schools. That bothers me.”

Republican State Rep. Steve Bradley joined Henderson in supporting the bill through subcommittee. It will now move to the full House Education Committee for consideration.

Watch the subcommittee below or here on Facebook.

 

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