NJ lawmaker proposes renaming Delaware Bay to ‘The Bay Of New Jersey’

A New Jersey Republican lawmaker has proposed a controversial legislation that would change the name of the Delaware Bay to “The Bay of New Jersey.” State Sen. Michael Testa introduced the measure in an effort to reflect the robust fishing industry in the area and to assert New Jersey’s ownership of the bay.

The proposed legislation would require state agencies to use the new name in publications, signage, websites, and materials. Testa, who represents Cape May County where the bay borders, believes that it is time to reclaim the name of the bay that has been known as the Delaware Bay since 1610.

The inspiration for this change appears to have come from President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Testa’s bill is seen as a response to Trump’s order and a way to assert New Jersey’s identity and sovereignty over the bay.

The Delaware Bay is a vital body of water for New Jersey, supporting tourism, commerce, and travel. It has been named after the third baron de la Warr, Thomas West, who governed the Virginia colony. However, Testa believes that it is time to make New Jersey great again by renaming the bay to reflect the state’s interests and heritage.

The proposed legislation comes at a time when similar name changes are being considered across the country. Trump’s order to rename the Gulf of Mexico prompted Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont to jokingly suggest renaming the Long Island Sound to the “Connecticut Sound.” This trend of renaming geographical features based on political ideology is becoming more common in the current political climate.

In addition to the proposed name change for the Delaware Bay, Testa has also introduced a bill to reclaim a piece of land along Salem County’s shore that is currently claimed by Delaware. This move is part of a broader effort to assert New Jersey’s territorial rights and sovereignty over its borders.

Overall, Testa’s proposed legislation is a bold and controversial move that reflects the current political climate in the United States. Whether the name change will be approved and implemented remains to be seen, but it is clear that the debate over geographical names and identities is far from over.