Yes, in the very same vein of the “Freedom Fries”, legislature has been introduced to change the name of Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The name change could mean a number of things, namely, a much more positive spotlight on our community and tons of press.
A recent MSNBC article stated that Mississippi state Rep. D. Stephen Holland introduced H.B. 150, “an act to provide that for all official purposes within the state of Mississippi, the body of water located directly South of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties shall be known as the ‘Gulf of America’; and for related purposes.”
Read the bill here.
This Tuesday, the bill will go before the Marine Resources Committee and is expected to get a hearing.
So what are your thoughts? If it came to a vote, would you vote to change the name?
PCBDaily 
ABSOLUTELY NOT! I see no benefit, I don’t think anyone in the world is going to travel here because we have a gulf named after us. I think the voters of MS should be in an uproar over MR Holland waste of tax dollars.
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Remember that the term “America” represents North, Central and South America. Not just the United States of America.
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Great point!
Why not in this age of “all-inclusiveness” and political correctness? Do we really need to be associated with a country in which 80% of it has been deemed unsafe and is now on the State Department’s “Travel Warning” list?? Imagine the renewed sense of pride visitors to the Gulf Coast will have as they’re playing on the beach, fishing, snorkeling or just enjoying the balcony views of the “Gulf of America”!!
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Let’s waste time and money on a bill to change the name of a body of water. That makes perfect sense. Can’t he just stand on the beach, facing Mexico, and beat his chest instead?
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As someone who’s has grown up on the Florida Gulf Coast and spent 35 years here, I can say I’ve never been offended by the name Gulf of Mexico.There’s no reason to change the name.I realize its all part of North, Central and South America, but we’re not trying to change it for the benifit of any other America but our own. Its not going to draw more people to the Gulf. Its there to enjoy no matter what name it has.
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I agree with you!
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I think we should rename it to the Gulf of Panama City Beach. That’s more fitting, in my opinion.
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Jason,
If you’re going to get that specific, then perhaps the best solution is to sell naming rights! Wait a minute, that’s a very real possibility as we try to raise money to pay-off some of our debt to China. Yikes!!
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That’s a great idea James, we could re-name it…….Gulf of China, for a price of course!
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This is the worst “Waste of Time” I have seen our government even consider….. Thank goodness it is just a joke!
Here is the information I have found relating to this so called name change:
A state lawmaker who introduced a measure renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for “official purposes within the state of Mississippi” says he did it to make a point. State Rep. Steve Holland, a Democrat, says the measure aims to mock anti-immigrant legislation that he finds mean-spirited and insignificant.
Newly elected Gov. Phil Bryant supports legislation to allow the state to crack down on immigration. Republicans won control of the Mississippi House last November.
Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/02/09/mississippi-lawmaker-who-introduced-bill-renaming-gulf-mexico-to-gulf-america/#ixzz1lzflYn71
If something like this is ever voted in what’s to stop them from changing state names and other bodys of water?
Thanks, Cathy/Tn.
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LOL……no….. but is truely amazing what fodder politicians are willing to ponder while our country is in such real trouble on so many fronts……pick one and go out to make REAL improvements
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Agreed. 100%
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How about the Gulf of The Americas…!!!
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PULLEEZE!!!! Mr. Holland, The voters of Mississippi deserve more than this. Can you not find a sutible cause to use your time, or at least the time you have left in office.
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Who comes up with these crazy ideas to waste time and money? There’s absolutely no reason to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Hope this guy is out of office soon.
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I wasn’t aware that we owned the Gulf…
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Maybe if we changed the name that might get us around the restrictions to drilling and people could get back to work.
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Really! Why do we always have to change something that is absolutely beautiful? I have lived within walking distance to the Gulf of Mexico since my conception in this world, I would be totally confused if we changed where I am from:) Please spend our tax dollars on health care or paying off the national debt:(
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The name change was just a proposal by a state-level representative from Mississippi. It clearly has no teeth and was intended to take a jab at those in neighboring Alabama for passing immigration control legislation. A rep from Mississippi (or any state) has no standing to re-name of a major body of water like the Gulf. That’s a federal-level thing that would also need approval by the IHO or “International Hydrographic Organization” (no joke!).
State Rep. Stephen Holland (D) MS, is a career mortician — I mean politician. He actually is a farmer and funeral home owner (again, no joke!) listed as being from the Tupelo area. He’s been in office for 28 years straight. Hmmm. . .that explains a lot!
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No!!!!! That doesn’t identify the location at all. How about the Northern Caribbean? Sounds much more exotic!
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I think while we are changing it… it should be the Gulf of Happiness, Peace and Joy because that is what it is to me. No matter the name we get to live and work and love on some of the prettiest beaches in the world.
I have traveled to many beaches across the US and I always come back to our shore with a renewed love.
LOVE my beach my home…. my happy spot on the Gulf the beautiful Gulf!!!
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Why not just call it the Gulf of Vespucci after the explorer who first discovered it?
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