Coalition for Outdoor Renaming and Education Views on December 9 National Parks Hearing Bills (S.2385, S.573, S.2369, S.1131)
WASHINGTON D.C - The Coalition for Outdoor Renaming and Education (CORE) recently submitted formal testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, regarding several bills affecting public lands, historical interpretation, and place naming.
CORE’s comments reflect our core mission and that federal policy should strengthens, rather than restricts, inclusive access to public history and the outdoors.
CORE Strongly Opposes S.2385
This legislation would codify Executive Order 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” Codifying this executive order would place harmful restrictions on how federal land management agencies, including the National Park Service, interpret and present American history.
Our public lands include sites that confront difficult truths and honor resilience, courage, and resistance. These stories do not divide us; they educate us. Limiting what agencies are allowed to interpret undermines professional historical standards, weakens public trust, and restricts what millions of visitors can learn about their shared national story.
We want to publicly thank Senator Angus King for his words during the hearing, “American history includes both accomplishments and injustices—and we cannot selectively erase the latter without distorting the truth.”
CORE Supports S.573
This legislation would permanently affirm “Denali” as the name of North America’s tallest mountain. “Denali” is the Ancestral name, rooted in more than 10,000 years of Koyukon Athabascan relationship to the mountain. This bill honors Indigenous knowledge, respects community will, and corrects a history of political interference in place naming—without diminishing other historical legacies.
CORE Supports S.2369
This legislation would remove or permanently conceal Francis G. Newlands’ name from the memorial fountain at Chevy Chase Circle. Newlands was a white supremacist whose policies promoted segregation, voter suppression, and exclusion. Local elected bodies and residents have overwhelmingly called for this change. Removing Newlands’ name does not erase history—it ends an inappropriate federal honor and aligns public space with dignity, accuracy, and community consensus.
CORE Supports S.1131
This legislation would establish the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve, Georgia’s first National Park. The Ocmulgee landscape holds deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose Ancestors lived and governed there for thousands of years before forced removal.
This bill reflects years of collaboration among Tribal Nations, local communities, and elected leaders and represents a meaningful step toward honoring Indigenous history, stewardship, and ongoing connection to place.
Our Commitment
CORE stands ready to work with Congress, federal agencies, and the people to ensure that public lands reflect historical accuracy, community values, and a shared commitment to truth. We urge lawmakers to support S.573, S.2369, and S.1131. We strongly urge lawmakers to reject S.2385.
Public lands are classrooms, memorials, and shared spaces. How we name them and how we tell their stories matters.
See our full letter here.