Should the Government Name a Mountain After a Marine Corps War Hero? (H.R. 979)

What is H.R. 979?

(Updated March 14, 2019)

This bill seeks to honor Staff Sergeant Sky Mote — a Marine who was killed while serving in Afghanistan — by naming a mountain where his friends and family used to go on annual hunting trips after him: “Sky Point.” The mountain is in the John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra Nevada National Forest, at the center of Humphrey Basin, and does not currently have a name. The GPS-inclined can find it at 7°15′16.10091″N 118°43′39.54102″W.

Argument in favor

Sky Mote sacrificed his life for the U.S. Putting his name on this mountain, where his friends and family would be a compassionate tribute to this action.

Argument opposed

Sky Mote sacrificed his life for the U.S. But there are better ways to honor his service than making people add a name to some anonymous mountain on their maps.

Impact

Sky Mote’s loved ones, map-making companies, hikers, park rangers, the U.S. Marine Corps.

Cost of H.R. 979

The CBO estimates that this bill would not have a significant effect on the budget.

Additional Info

In Depth: Sky Mote was considered by many to be brave and selfless before August 12, 2012. He was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, defusing and disposing of bombs — yes, like The Hurt Locker—in Afghanistan. But on that day, proved it again. When an Afghani police officer began shooting inside an outpost, Mote and Captain Matthew Manoukian fought back while the other soldiers evacuated. Mote shot at the attacker from an exposed position just five yards away.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• L.A. Times