William McKinley, our 25th U.S. President, an Ohio native was a Republican who faced tough decisions in his policy toward China and declared war with Spain over Cuban independence, and brought the U.S. into a new generation as an emerging world power. He was a genuine war hero and the last president to have served in the Civil War. McKinley started as a Union private, and ended a brevet major. A lawyer, he was an expert on and proponent of protective tariffs.
The tallest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley was named after this great president. Over the 100 plus years of the Mount McKinley era, the name has stood as a household name and the primary, perhaps the only national reminder of an important national leader.
Obama’s move is a capricious use of presidential power and that it disrespects McKinley
On August 31, President Obama officially re-designated Alaska’s Mt. McKinley as Denali, the original Native-American-inspired name for the tallest mountain in North America.
The White House said Obama would rename the continent’s tallest peak in order to improve relations with Native Americans.
High-ranking Republicans led by House Speaker John Boehner and Ohio Gov. and presidential candidate John Kasich, voiced their disapproval. Obama’s move is a capricious use of presidential power and that it disrespects McKinley, an Ohio native and pioneering GOP chief executive who was assassinated at the start of his second term.
McKinley served our country with distinction during the Civil War as a member of the Army. I’m deeply disappointed in this decision.
What If A Republican President Renamed A Democrat Presidential Landmark?
Ohio congressman Rep. Mike Turner said “This is an issue that was resolved in 1917,” he said. “Mount McKinley was named for an assassinated Republican president by a bipartisan action of Congress. It was signed by Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat. It was accomplished by a group of President McKinley’s contemporaries, to dedicate something to his service. President Obama’s actions toss aside the sacrifice of President McKinley.
Imagine the outrage if in 100 years, a Republican would undo John F. Kennedy’s name from landmarks?
What’s Next On The Chopping Block – How About McKinley’s Image On The $500 Bill?
