Petition started to rename Ronald Reagan National Airport

WASHINGTON - Online petition calls for the name of Ronald Reagan National Airport to be changed back to its original name of Washington National Airport. 

The petition was started by a group known as CREDO Action after President Barack Obama renamed the United States’ tallest mountain from Mount McKinley to Denali. The petition reads, “Tell John Boehner: Rename Ronald Reagan Airport.” A goal of 75,000 signatures was set, and by Monday morning, over 63,000 people had signed the petition.

“Republicans in Congress themselves pushed through legislation renaming an airport already named after America’s first president, George Washington. And unlike President Obama’s decision, which honors the local people and culture surrounding that landmark, the renaming of Washington National airport was met with resistance from local Virginia residents and leaders,” the petition reads. “It was also strongly opposed by airport workers themselves, given President Reagan’s role in breaking the air traffic controllers’ union and mass firing 11,000 workers. Renaming the airport also resulted in significant costs that were left to local government in Virginia to cover.”

“Given Speaker Boehner’s current outrage and disappointment at President Obama’s decision to rename Mount McKinley, it’s time to give him the opportunity to make up for his own past mistakes. Sign the petition and tell John Boehner he needs to be consistent when it comes to naming America’s landmarks.”

At the airport on Sunday, passengers’ reactions were mixed. Some said they were for the change, because the name Washington National Airport represents the area and the city. Others said a change seems silly, and that there are more important issues that need to be dealt with in D.C.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PETITION