The Obama administration do the right thing. Naturally this upsets (most) Republicans. John Boehner said he was "deeply disappointed". Another Ohio Republican, Rep. Bob Gibbs, called it "constitutional overreach". Hyperbole much?
via CBS News
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration will change the name of North America's tallest mountain peak from Mount McKinley to Denali, the White House said Sunday, a major symbolic gesture to Alaska Natives on the eve of President Barack Obama's historic visit to Alaska.
By renaming the peak Denali, an Athabascan word meaning "the high one," Obama waded into a sensitive and decades-old conflict between residents of Alaska and Ohio. Alaskans have informally called the mountain Denali for years, but the federal government recognizes its name invoking the 25th president, William McKinley, who was born in Ohio and assassinated early in his second term.
"With our own sense of reverence for this place, we are officially renaming the mountain Denali in recognition of the traditions of Alaska Natives and the strong support of the people of Alaska," said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.
The announcement came as Obama prepared to open a three-day visit to Alaska aimed at infusing fresh urgency into his call to action on climate change. To the dismay of some Alaska Republicans, the White House has choreographed the trip to showcase melting glaciers and other cherished natural wonders in Alaska that Obama says are threatened by warmer temperatures.
My full statement on @POTUS ignoring an Act of Congress and changing the name of Mount McKinley. pic.twitter.com/nsLLOiUBU8
— Rep. Bob Gibbs (@RepBobGibbs) August 31, 2015
At least one Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, had the good sense to call this for what it is, righting a historical wrong.
