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American Morning
North Dakota Entertains Bid to Drop 'North' from Its Name
Aired June 27, 2001 - 11:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A push is under way in North Dakota to change the state's name. A business group wants to drop the word North. Now, while some folks in the state call the idea just plain crazy, supporters say that it could bring the state more recognition and a warmer image.
Reporter Sarah Stokes of our affiliate KVRR has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TIM MATHERN (D), NORTH DAKOTA SENATE: People relate to North Dakota as, in fact, being always cold, as, in fact, being close to the North Pole. We need to do new things in our state.
SUSAN STOKES (ph), KVRR REPORTER (voice-over): Fargo State Senator Tim Mathern isn't kidding. He is proposing to change North Dakota's name to just Dakota.
MATHERN: It is a word that expresses the most positive part of our state, that we are friendly people.
STOKES (ph): Mathern's idea took a nosedive the last time he tried, back in '89, but he says North Dakota needs a new marketing push, and believes his name change proposal will pick up speed in the 2003 session.
MATHERN: It's going to take some courageous folks to come forward and say, yes, this is good, and let's move with it.
STOKES (ph): Mathern plans to spend the next two years talking to constituents and building support for his vision, but not everyone is jumping on his bandwagon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were founded as North Dakota, and why change it? We're called North Dakota, because we're the furthest north state, pretty much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't agree with that idea. I don't see how that would fool anybody into coming up here and thinking we're not going to have snow, which, it seems to me, is what he's up to.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a good idea, but maybe think of something else to bring a more positive idea, because North Dakota should be proud of the heritage of North Dakota. I don't see how a name change could do much.
STOKES (ph): Mathern realizes changing the state's name will be an uphill battle, but thinks any controversy is an opportunity to promote the state.
MATHERN: We are in charge of our destiny.
STOKES (ph): Mathern says he will continue to work on key issues like education and the economy, but hopes to spark interest in the future of Dakota.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Well, let's go to the phone now to find out what the governor of North Dakota thinks about the name change. John Hoeven, the governor, is joining us now on the telephone from Bismarck. Good morning, sir. Can you tell us what it is that you think about this?
GOV. JOHN HOEVEN (R), NORTH DAKOTA: Can I tell you what, Leon?
HARRIS: What do you think about all this?
HOEVEN: Oh, well, I'm always willing to listen to new ideas, but our focus as far as North Dakota is to get more information out on what a great state we have, talk about all the wonderful things we have here like beautiful country, and great hunting and fishing, a tremendous education system, great place to live, work and do business, and that's the really focus we have in terms of marketing our state.
HARRIS: Do you think there's chance that just calling the place Dakota would make people forget what they're seeing on the screen, all the snow?
HOEVEN: The reality is North Dakota has a proud heritage, we've got great folks, and really the challenge for us is to get more information out about our state and to encourage more people to come visit us.
HARRIS: Is there any particular reason why this idea keeps coming up? As I understand it, you guys have broached this topic in the past.
HOEVEN: Well, where it came up, Leon, is that the state chamber of commerce had a brainstorming session, and they call it the New Economy Initiative and they came out with a whole bunch of new ideas and this was one of them and so that kind of brought the debate up.
HARRIS: If you wanted people to really think about -- forget about the cold, it would seem to me that you'd forget about the north part, just change the Dakota. How about calling it North Florida?
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: That would make people forget about the cold. HOEVEN: I'll tell you what, I want to invite you to come up here. It's lovely, beautiful, you know, 70s and 80s and great out of doors, if you like to fish. I encourage folks to come to North Dakota. But apart from that, we just have a great work ethic, great education, and folks are finding out this is a great place to do business.
HARRIS: What about North Dakotans, are they really concerned that much about the state's image? Do you get much lobbying on this?
HOEVEN: I think most North Dakotans are very proud of their state, and the biggest thing is sometimes we make the news when it's cold up here, but we have four seasons and more folks need to come to North Dakota and learn more about our great state.
HARRIS: You're beating us here in Georgia. We only have two seasons.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: We only have two down here, and both of them are hot.
HOEVEN: Well, you have a wonderful state there, too. I've been down to Georgia and I've really enjoyed it. So, you can spend so more time up here during the summer months and we'll spend a little time down there during the winter months.
HARRIS: You've got a deal there, I tell you what, I appreciate the offer. Governor John Hoeven, good luck on this one, and we'll be keeping an eye out and ear out to see what it is you folks decide to do on this one. Good luck.
HOEVEN: Good to visit with you. Thank you, Leon.
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