Congressman Gonzalez Urges U.S. Board on Geographic Names to Listen to Local Leaders and Reject Unnecessary Proposal to Rename Boca Chica Beach

Contact: Alexis Torres

Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) urged the U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Domestic Names Committee to oppose a proposal to rename Boca Chica Beach to “Cyber Beach.” The federal naming committee provided less than a 24-hours-notice of a vote that would take place today, July 9, at 2 p.m. The lack of transparency is nothing more than an attempt to silence the people of Cameron County and erase our region’s history. 

In the letter, Congressman Gonzalez said, “I understand that the Committee conducts its due diligence before moving forward with name change proposals. Submitted proposals must be evaluated for local usage, historical precedence, and community support. However, I am disappointed to see a federal entity not notify federal representatives of activity happening in their district. Due to the lack of transparency, my constituents, and my community, must be afforded ample time to properly review the proposal and formally submit their input before any final decision is made. For the aforementioned reasons, I urge the Domestic Names Committee to reject this proposal and retain Boca Chica Beach’s historic name.” 

Dating back to at least 1936, Boca Chica Beach, often referred to as “the People’s Beach,” has long served as a cultural, historical, and communal landmark in South Texas. According to reports, the request to rename the beach is being driven by an individual from Mississippi and faces unanimous opposition from local officials and SpaceX itself. 

The full letter can be viewed here.