Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis celebrated Wednesday after Pensacola Beach updated its sign welcoming travelers to read "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico."
"Big shoutout to Pensacola Beach for updating their iconic welcome sign to read “Gulf of America!” Patronis said. This change is in line with @POTUS' Executive Order honoring the spirit of our great nation. Excited that the Emerald Coast is helping Florida lead the way."
The change comes a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law two pieces of legislation that update all statutory references in Florida law from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and put the name change in geographic and instructional materials in K-12 schools.
Congressman Patronis was elected in the 1st Congressional District earlier this month. The district includes Pensacola Beach in Escambia County.
Patronis was also endorsed by President Donald Trump for the seat, who started the idea to change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in the first place. In January, President Trump signed an executive order (“Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness”) changing the Gulf of Mexico to its new name.
Florida quickly followed suit when DeSantis referred to the Gulf of America in an executive order declaring a state of emergency over a winter storm.
The name change has been celebrated by some and jeered by others, including many Democrats on the state and federal level. Unsurprisingly, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has been less than thrilled by all of this.
According to WEAR-TV ABC 3, the sign change cost $2,600.
