Florida congressman introduces legislation in Congress to change name of Lake Ontario
‘I’m a proud American, and I’ve always believed there’s nothing wrong with a little more American pride. So I figured, why stop at the Gulf? Lake America sounds a whole lot better.’ – Congressman Jimmy Patronis Jr.
File photo: The Lake Ontario shoreline is shown at Point Breeze with a full moon in distance.
A Florida congressman introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to change Lake Ontario’s name to “Lake America.”
Jimmy Patronis Jr., a Republican, represents Florida’s 1st congressional district in the Western Panhandle. He introduced the bill following President Donald’s Trump executive order on Thursday that changes to lake’s name. Trump made that order unilaterally, without a prior vote by Congress.
Trump’s order directed the federal government to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, and gives the Interior Department 30 days to update the federal Geographic Names Information System. It also directs federal agencies to use the new name on maps, contracts, documents and other communications.
The president made the executive order amidst a trade dispute with Canada. Mark Carney, the Canadian primes minister, said Canada will always recognize “Lake Ontario” as the officially name.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the name remains “Lake Ontario” in New York State.
However, in Florida, it will be taught as “Lake America,” said Henry Mack, that state’s education commissioner.
Congressman Patronis on Monday introduced the “Lake America Act.” He said that President Trump’s official renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been met with strong support across Northwest Florida.
“President Trump put America back on the map. Now we’re putting America on Lake Ontario,” Congressman Patronis stated in a press release. “Canada can call it whatever they want, but here in America, I say we call it Lake America. I’m a proud American, and I’ve always believed there’s nothing wrong with a little more American pride. So I figured, why stop at the Gulf? Lake America sounds a whole lot better.”
The Lake America Act would:
- Rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”
- Replace references to Lake Ontario with “Lake America” across federal laws, maps, regulations, and official records.
- Direct the Secretary of the Interior and U.S. Board on Geographic Names to oversee implementation.
- Require federal agencies to update their maps and documents within 180 days.
“Representing Florida’s First Congressional District, including Destin and Pensacola, I saw firsthand the pride and patriotism that came with the Gulf of America,” Patronis said. “I love that energy, and I think this is another opportunity to build on it. This is another tool in President Trump’s toolbox to put America First and restore pride in our great country.”
Three Democrats in Congress introduced their own legislation on Monday to stop President Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario and protect the historic names of all five Great Lakes.
Congressman Joe Morelle (D, NY-25), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D, MI-06) and Congressman Tim Kennedy (D, NY-26) introduced the “Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act.”
The legislation would prohibit the President, Secretary of the Interior, or any other federal official acting under presidential authority from changing the official geographic names of Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie or Lake Superior.
