[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 70 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO RE-NAME MOUNT McKINLEY AS DENALI

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                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 1999

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation 
to correct one of the oldest and most controversial mistakes ever made 
in the naming of one of America's foremost natural geologic features, 
which is in the State of Alaska. I refer to Denali, which the federal 
government persistently and unjustly names Mount McKinley.
  Denali is North America's tallest mountain, rising to 20,320 feet in 
the heart of the Alaska Range. Its vertical rise measured from its 
lowlands to the summit is greater than that of Mt. Everest, in effect 
making it the tallest mountain in the world. Denali is also one of the 
nation's most beautiful natural features and a fitting symbol of the 
largest state and most prolific and responsible developer of natural 
resources. Alaskans and visitors alike marvel at its stunning beauty 
and dominant presence on the landscape, and the massif has come to 
represent both Alaska's proud heritage and bright future.
  On a clear day, one can see the giant peak looming on the horizon 140 
miles away to the south in Alaska's largest city of Anchorage. It is no 
wonder that Athabascan Native people have always called the peak 
``Denali,'' which means the High One.
  Through the State's history the peak has been known as ``Denali'' 
until it was discovered by a prospector who took it upon himself to 
name the mountain after President William McKinley. Rather than call 
the mountain what the Alaskan people had called it for hundreds if not 
thousands of years, one person arbitrarily changed the face of maps 
everywhere . . .  everywhere except Alaska, that is.
  In 1975 the Alaska Legislature formally named it Denali, and the 
mountain is known by that name within Alaska to this day. Differences 
between state and federal names of geographic features are rare, and in 
this care the anomaly deserves amending.
  To this end, the State approached the federal Board of Geographic 
Names with the proposal to require the use of Denali in all maps 
nationwide; the Board was prepared to act favorably. However, the 
Board's hands were subsequently tied by the intervention of one Member 
from Ohio.
  One Member from Ohio continuously introduces legislation to block the 
name change. By its own policy, the Board refuses to act on a name 
change of a geographic feature when there is pending legislation 
concerning it, even if the measure is never considered. Thus, one 
single Representative can block a name-change within a State sought by 
the State's duly elected representatives. Whatever happened to the 
principle of federalism?
  Far from memorializing a president in an appropriate manner, the name 
Mt. McKinley is now the source of confusion for millions of visitors to 
Denali National Park, the correctly named park hosting the mountain 
with the misfit moniker. Congress in 1980 dispelled this confusion 
half-way by redesignating the former Mt. McKinley National Park as 
Denali National Park and Preserve. Consistency dictates we use the name 
Denali for the mountain at the heart of the park.
  I have nothing against naming a natural landmark after a U.S. 
President; it is an appropriate and honorable way to memorialize this 
nation's Presidents. However, William McKinley's deepest roots were in 
the State of Ohio, which is why he's known as the Idol of Ohio.
  I respectfully suggest the gentleman from the State of Ohio re-
designate a federal forest or similar landmark of his district after 
President McKinley if he wishes to honor this great president's memory. 
I am more than willing to assist him in this task.
  My bill formally redesignates Mount McKinley as Denali, and requires 
the Interior Department to reflect this correction in all maps, 
references, and products put out by the United States government. This 
bill is not symbolic. It will be moved and receive its due 
consideration in this Congress.
  Congress should end a long-running, 26 year controversy and name the 
mountain after what the people of the State of Alaska want it to be 
called: Denali.

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