General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Encourages Tennessee's teachers to use the names Gulf of America and Mount McKinley in classroom instruction. -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bo Watson

The resolution urges Tennessee educators to use the renamed terms Gulf of America and Mount McKinley in classroom instruction, framing it as guidance rather than a mandate.

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

#generalassembly #statementofintentorposition

Purpose and intent

SJR 160 is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Tennessee General Assembly’s endorsement of teaching about two items under new names.

It requests (encourages) Tennessee teachers, particularly geography instructors, to use the renamed terms “Gulf of America” and “Mount McKinley” when educating students about these natural features.

The resolution cites executive orders attributed to President Donald J. Trump (dated January 20, 2025, and February 9, 2025) that allegedly renamed:

Mount McKinley to its traditional or alternative name (as stated in the bill’s narrative) in association with recognizing leadership and historical events.
The continental shelf area named “Gulf of America,” extending to the seaward boundary with neighboring nations, as a pivotal economic resource.
A designated “Gulf of America Day” on February 9, 2025, to commemorate “American pride in the history of American greatness.”

The resolution asserts alignment with the President’s view that naming national treasures should honor patriotic Americans and historical contributions.

Key provisions and changes

The bill does not enact new laws or create regulatory requirements. Instead, it:

Encourages Tennessee educators to adopt the renamed terms (Gulf of America and Mount McKinley) in classroom instruction.
Positions itself as guidance or a statement of educational emphasis rather than a binding mandate.

It explicitly states the intent to reference these renamed geographic features in educational settings.

Who/what is affected

Primary beneficiaries: Tennessee public and private school students, particularly those in geography or social studies classes.

Affected entities: Tennessee teachers and school districts, which would receive a policy signal encouraging usage of the renamed terms in curriculum and instruction.

Since it is a resolution, it does not create penalties or require state agencies to implement enforcement; rather, it aims to influence educational content and classroom discussion.

Procedural and timeline aspects

History:

Introduced and referred on February 24, 2025.
Passed on second consideration on February 27, 2025, and referred to Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee (as part of the normal legislative process for concurrent resolutions that may involve fiscal implications).
On April 16, 2026, placed on the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for consideration on April 20, 2026.

Co-sponsor: Senate member Bo Watson.

The bill’s narrative relies on executive orders attributed to the President in 2025, which is a matter of interpretation and not a direct effect of Tennessee law.

Potential impact and considerations

Educational impact: Encourages a shift in terminology used in classroom instruction, which could influence students’ familiarity with the historical naming of geographic features.

Legal/operational impact: As a resolution, it does not create enforceable requirements or funds; its impact rests on educational culture and curricular practice.

Controversy and reception: The proposed renamings are not universally recognized or adopted; the resolution frames the terms as honors to patriotic figures and national history, which may spark discussion about accuracy, historical naming conventions, and cross-jurisdiction usage.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s text and stated intent. It does not endorse or oppose the renaming itself but outlines its content, scope, and potential implications.

Bill