00:00I'd like to thank Chairman Westerman and Chairwoman Hageman for considering my bill at this subcommittee
00:06hearing today to codify President Trump's executive order.
00:11The Gulf of America Act would rename the body of water, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico,
00:17to the Gulf of America.
00:19The Secretary of Interior, acting through the Chairman of the U.S. Board of Geographic
00:24Names, would oversee the implementation of the renaming.
00:29On his first day back in office, President Trump signed Executive Order 14172, entitled
00:35Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness.
00:40Section 1 of the executive order lays out the purpose and policy of the directive, stating,
00:46it is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our nation and
00:52ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes.
00:59The renaming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic
01:06works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our
01:12nation's rich past.
01:15Section 4 of the order states that the Gulf of America has long been an integral asset
01:20to our nation and has remained an indelible part of America.
01:27First of all, our great military and Coast Guard patrol and defend the waters of the
01:31Gulf of America.
01:33They protect our nation at the Gulf from human and drug trafficking coming from Mexico and
01:39other countries.
01:40It is only fitting that the Gulf therefore be named after America.
01:45The Gulf was a crucial artery for America's early trade and global commerce and remains
01:50so today.
01:52It is the largest Gulf in the world and the U.S. coastline along the Gulf spans over 1,700
02:00miles and contains about 160 million acres.
02:05The Gulf's natural resources and wildlife are an essential part of America's economy.
02:11It is one of the largest oil and gas regions in the world, providing about 14 percent of
02:17our nation's crude oil production and an abundance of natural gas.
02:22The resources found in the Gulf have driven innovative technologies that have allowed
02:27our nation to reach some of the deepest and richest oil reserves in the world.
02:33The Gulf is also home to many fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab
02:39and other species.
02:41And it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest
02:46volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the nation, contributing millions of dollars
02:53to local American economies.
02:56The Gulf is also a vital region for the multi-billion dollar American maritime industry, containing
03:02some of the largest ports in the world, including in Houston, New Orleans and Mobile.
03:09Millions of Americans visit the Gulf each year with their families and take part in
03:14all the recreation it has to offer.
03:17Given all these contributions from the Gulf to our nation and from our nation to the Gulf,
03:23it is clear that the states which border the Gulf—Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
03:29and Florida—are not the only ones that benefit from it.
03:33Therefore, it is fitting that the Gulf be named in honor of America as it will continue
03:39to be a crucial part of our nation for generations to come.
03:44The Gulf of America Act has 15 co-sponsors.
03:48We encourage more members to sponsor this bill.
03:52And I thank the subcommittee for hearing me out today.
03:56And Madam Chairwoman, I yield back the remainder of my time.
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