Pennsylvania lawmaker urges Trump to rename Lake Erie as "Lake Pennsylvania"

State Rep. David Maloney, a Republican from Pennsylvania, announced plans to introduce a resolution urging President Donald Trump, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and congressional leaders to rename Lake Erie as "Lake Pennsylvania." Maloney said the change would reflect the lake’s role in the state’s modern economy and tourism, noting that Pennsylvania is the only Great Lake bordering the state.

"This is Pennsylvania’s only Great Lake. Its modern economy and identity are increasingly tied to the boaters, anglers, families and tourists who come to enjoy it," Maloney said. He added that neighboring states already have multiple Great Lakes shorelines, arguing that Pennsylvania should have a name that highlights its unique connection. The proposal follows Trump’s recent executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," a change recognized only by U.S. federal agencies and reflected in some mapping services for American users. Canadian officials have rejected the renaming, and the order does not affect international or provincial usage. Lake Erie, the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, supports a watershed population of about 12 million people, including roughly 10.5 million in the United States and 1.9 million in Canada. Maloney’s resolution seeks to formalize a name change at the federal level, though it would not compel other nations or private map providers to adopt it.