An effort to rename Rhode Island's main airport has moved closer to becoming law.
The House of Representatives voted 55-17 Wednesday to rename T.F. Green Airport the "Rhode Island International Airport." The state's airport corporation requested the change, arguing T.F. Green was too obscure.
Theodore Francis Green was governor of Rhode Island and a U.S. Senator.
The bill would preserve Green's namesake by naming the airport's transportation hub the "T.F. Green Interlink."
House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi says only 32 of the 376 busiest airports in America don't include its city or state in the name.
Opponents argued many airports are named for historical figures. Democratic Rep. Charlene Lima called the airport corporation's argument a "bunch of malarkey."
The measure now goes to the Senate.
