Mississippi Lawmaker Who Introduced Bill Renaming Gulf of Mexico Says It's Joke
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}JACKSON, Miss. -- A state lawmaker who introduced a measure renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for "official purposes within the state of Mississippi" says he did it to make a point.
State Rep. Steve Holland, a Democrat, says the measure aims to mock anti-immigrant legislation that he finds mean-spirited and insignificant.
Newly elected Gov. Phil Bryant supports legislation to allow the state to crack down on immigration. Republicans won control of the Mississippi House last November.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}If approved, House Bill 150 would take effect beginning July 1. It began drawing attention Thursday on various Internet sites.
Not everyone is in on Holland's joke.
The bill has drawn a rebuke from CafDe Con Leche Republicans, a Minnesota-based group that promotes a pro-immigrant and pro-Hispanic stance within the Republican Party.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The group suggests renaming the Mississippi River as the Lincoln River.
This is based on a story by The Associated Press.
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