State Sen. Pam Helming says President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” for federal purposes does nothing to address the economic and trade problems facing American workers and businesses, according to Finger Lakes Daily News.
Helming said she supports efforts to protect U.S. jobs, farmers and small businesses but questioned what changing the lake’s name would accomplish.
She also pointed to the Indigenous history of the Lake Ontario name and said it has carried significance for Native communities for more than 400 years.
Helming said state and federal officials should instead focus on expanding domestic production, strengthening supply chains and making New York more attractive to businesses.
Trump’s Aug. 27 executive order directs federal agencies to use “Lake America” on U.S. maps and documents but does not change the name used by Canada.
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