Sec. 2. Findings
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Congress finds that— the United States contains geographic features named— with derogatory terms that include racial and sexual slurs and stereotypes targeting Native Americans, African Americans, and others; in honor of individuals who— held racially repugnant views; committed atrocities against Native Americans; or supported or effectuated discriminatory policies; and to recognize individuals who carried out injustices against racial minorities; place names that include racial or sexual slurs, or honor individuals who held racially repugnant views, committed atrocities against Native Americans, or carried out injustices against racial minorities— perpetuate prejudice; disparage racial minorities; and honor individuals who committed or supported atrocities; no geographic feature in the United States should have a name that— perpetuates prejudice; disparages racial minorities; or honors individuals who committed or supported atrocities against racial minorities; place names in the United States should— be equitable and just; honor the cultural diversity of the United States; and advance dignity for all people in the United States; the Board on Geographic Names, jointly with the Secretary, is responsible for naming geographic features in the United States; the policies of the Board on Geographic Names— authorize changing the names of geographic features determined to be offensive; and prohibit the Federal use of terms determined to be derogatory or offensive in geographic place names; the renaming process of the Board on Geographic Names— is time consuming; lacks transparency and public involvement; and fails to address the scope and breadth of inappropriate place names; the extent of inappropriate or offensive place names in the United States requires a systematic, public process in which offensive and inappropriate place names are reviewed and replaced; and the process described in paragraph
(8)offers an opportunity for reconciliation for— people of the United States who suffer from prejudice and racial violence; and all people of the United States in whose name the acts were committed.