Down East Remembrance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2217
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:04:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Down East Remembrance Act (H.R. 2217) aims to honor the individuals who lost their lives in a plane crash in Carteret County, North Carolina, on February 13, 2022, by officially naming six specific creeks after them. This serves as a commemorative gesture to remember the victims and preserve their memory in the local landscape.
Key Provisions
- Creek Designations: The bill designates six creeks in North Carolina using precise latitude and longitude coordinates, assigning each the name of a victim from the crash:
- Noah Styron Creek (34°59'49.33" N, 76°8'42.11" W)
- Hunter Parks Creek (34°57'52.85" N, 76°11'11.25" W)
- Kole McInnis Creek (34°57'46.30" N, 76°11'18.18" W)
- Stephanie Fulcher Creek (34°57'38.08" N, 76°11'31.18" W)
- Jacob Taylor Creek (34°52'43.45" N, 76°17'41.49" W)
- Daily Shepherd Creek (34°52'28.26" N, 76°17'43.20" W)
- References in Official Documents: Any mention of these creeks in U.S. laws, regulations, documents, records, maps, or other papers will be interpreted as referring to the newly designated names.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This legislation introduces new official names for the specified creeks, which may previously have been unnamed or referred to differently in federal records.
- It mandates that all future and existing federal references align with these designations, effectively standardizing nomenclature without altering underlying legal rights or land uses.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the National Park Service, may need to update maps, signage, and databases to reflect the new names, involving minor administrative costs.
- On Citizens: Local residents and visitors in North Carolina's Carteret County area could see symbolic recognition through updated local signage or tourism materials, fostering community remembrance without direct economic or regulatory effects.
- On International Relations: No impacts, as the bill is purely domestic and commemorative.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families of the Victims: Primary beneficiaries, as the naming provides a lasting tribute to Noah Styron, Hunter Parks, Kole McInnis, Stephanie Fulcher, Jacob Taylor, and Daily Shepherd.
- Local Communities in North Carolina: Residents of Carteret County and surrounding areas, who may engage more with the historical and emotional significance of these sites.
- North Carolina Congressional Delegation: Bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Reps. Murphy, Davis, Ross, and others from the state) indicate support for regional commemoration.
- Federal Mapping and Natural Resource Agencies: Responsible for implementing name changes in official records.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is straightforward and non-controversial, relying on Congress's authority under the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution) to name federal lands and waters. It does not affect property rights, environmental regulations, or navigation rules.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges; it aligns with precedents for commemorative naming of natural features (e.g., mountains or rivers honoring individuals).
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan cooperation among North Carolina representatives, highlighting a focus on local tragedies and remembrance, but it has limited broader policy implications as a symbolic measure.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Knott, Brad [R-NC-13], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Down East Remembrance Act — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (2 pages)