A House Democrat on Wednesday offered a “solution” to the Redskins name change controversy: The Non-Disparagement of American Indians in Trademark Registrations Act of 2013. According to The Hill, the legislation “would prevent the term ‘Redskins’ from being trademarked” and is “a move intended to put pressure on the Washington football club to change its name.”
Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) sponsored the bill and eight Democrats and one Republican joined as co-sponsors. In previous comments to The Hill, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D), a co-sponsor, said that “Nobody would let a comparable name to blacks stand.” Norton added that she believed a name change was inevitable “but nothing happens without pushing and shoving.”
The bill’s official title is: “H.R. 1278 – To amend the Trademark Act of 1946 regarding the disparagement of Native American persons or peoples through marks that use the term ‘redskin,’ and for other purposes.” The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Name change advocates have been busy this month.
As noted on March 11 by Breitbart Sports’ Tony Lee, “a group of five Native Americans sued the Washington Redskins last week before a three-judge panel on the Trademark and Trial Appeal Board to try to get to force the football team to change its name because it is disparaging to Native Americans.”
The team, however, believes the name to be an honorific title and has no intention of changing it. Following the March Trademark and Trial Appeal Board hearing, Redskins General Manger Bruce Allen said, “I’m a proud of what we represent” and “I know that there are Native Americans that are very proud of us and who are fans of our football team.”
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