||| FROM A CREATIVE, ANONYMOUS ISLANDER |||
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the President Washington, DC 20500
EXECUTIVE ORDER
RESTORING THE HISTORIC WILKES EXPEDITION NAMES TO THE GREAT NAVY ARCHIPELAGO OF THE BEAUTIFUL STATE OF WASHINGTON
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to preserve our cherished American heritage, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The historic United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842, led by the distinguished Lieutenant Charles Wilkes of our GREAT United States Navy, conducted the first comprehensive American naval survey of the Pacific Northwest. During this voyage, Lieutenant Wilkes designated the island chain now known as the San Juan Islands as the “Navy Archipelago” and bestowed upon its features names honoring brave naval officers who served our great Nation with courage and patriotism, replacing the un-American names created by Francisco de Eliza’s MEXICAN 1791 expedition. Unfortunately Wilkes’s names were not universally adopted, necessitating this Executive Order.
Section 2. Restoration of Historic Names. The following designations shall be restored to their original glory:
(a) The island group currently known as the San Juan Islands shall be officially designated as the “Navy Archipelago,” reflecting the proud legacy of our American Navy;
(b) San Juan Island shall be designated as “Rodgers Island” in honor of Commodore John Rodgers;
(c) Orcas Island shall be designated as “Hull Island” in honor of Commodore Isaac Hull, hero of the War of 1812;
(d) Shaw Island shall be designated as “Chauncey Island” in honor of Commodore Isaac Chauncey;
(e) Lopez Island shall be designated as “Perry Island” in honor of Commodore Matthew C. Perry;
(f) Waldron Island shall be designated as “Manning Island” in honor of Lieutenant Manning;
(g) Presidents Channel, between the islands formerly known as Orcas and Waldron, shall be designated as “President Trump Channel” in recognition of the 47th President’s commitment to preserving American naval heritage.
Section 4. Implementation.
(a) The Secretary of the Interior shall, in consultation with the Board on Geographic Names, implement the changes specified in Section 3 of this order.
(b) The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that all future nautical charts and navigational materials reflect these restored designations.
(c) All executive departments and agencies shall update their records and materials including navigational charts to reflect these restored designations within 180 days of this order.
Section 5. General Provisions.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE January 21, 2025
PRESERVING AMERICA’S NAVAL HERITAGE
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How about the price of eggs?
Please ban the Bird Flu, President Trump.
I’d laugh, but I don’t doubt it could happen. Oh. My comment is too short. I’d say “wake me when the next four years are over,” but I’m too busy opening my emails from the ACLU, Indivisible, Planned Parenthood, and the National Immigrant Justice Center. How’s that?