[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 146 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 146

 Designating June 20, 2007, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating 
 the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national 
                      symbol of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 12, 2007

  Mr. Alexander (for himself, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
   Allard, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Corker, and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating June 20, 2007, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating 
 the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national 
                      symbol of the United States.

Whereas, the bald eagle was designated as the national emblem of the United 
        States on June 20, 1782, by our country's Founding Fathers at the Second 
        Continental Congress;
Whereas, the bald eagle is the central image used in the Great Seal of the 
        United States and the seals of the President and Vice President;
Whereas, the image of the bald eagle is displayed in the official seal of many 
        branches and departments of the Federal Government, including--

    (1) Congress;

    (2) the Supreme Court;

    (3) the Department of Defense;

    (4) the Department of the Treasury;

    (5) the Department of Justice;

    (6) the Department of State;

    (7) the Department of Commerce;

    (8) the Department of Homeland Security;

    (9) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

    (10) the Department of Labor;

    (11) the Department of Health and Human Services;

    (12) the Department of Energy;

    (13) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

    (14) the Central Intelligence Agency; and

    (15) the United States Postal Service;

Whereas, the bald eagle is an inspiring symbol of the American spirit of freedom 
        and democracy;
Whereas, the image, meaning, and symbolism of the bald eagle have played a 
        significant role in American art, music, history, literature, 
        architecture, and culture since the founding of our Nation;
Whereas, the bald eagle is featured prominently on United States stamps, 
        currency, and coinage;
Whereas, the habitat of bald eagles exists only in North America;
Whereas, by 1963, the number of nesting pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 
        States had dropped to about 417;
Whereas, the bald eagle was first listed as an endangered species in 1967 under 
        the Endangered Species Preservation Act, the Federal law that preceded 
        the Endangered Species Act of 1973;
Whereas, caring and concerned citizens of the United States in the private and 
        public sectors banded together to save, and help ensure the protection 
        of, bald eagles;
Whereas, in 1995, as a result of the efforts of those caring and concerned 
        citizens, bald eagles were removed from the ``endangered'' species list 
        and upgraded to the less imperiled ``threatened'' status under the 
        Endangered Species Act of 1973;
Whereas, by 2006, the number of bald eagles in the lower 48 States had increased 
        to approximately 7,000 to 8,000 nesting pairs;
Whereas, the administration is likely to officially delist the bald eagle from 
        both the ``endangered'' and ``threatened'' species lists under the 
        Endangered Species Act of 1973, with a final decision expected no later 
        than June 29, 2007;
Whereas, if delisted under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, bald eagles 
        should be provided strong protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle 
        Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act;
Whereas, bald eagles would have been permanently extinct if not for vigilant 
        conservation efforts of concerned citizens and strict protection laws;
Whereas, the dramatic recovery of the bald eagle population is an endangered 
        species success story and an inspirational example for other wildlife 
        and natural resource conservation efforts around the world;
Whereas, the initial recovery of the bald eagle population was accomplished by 
        the concerted efforts of numerous government agencies, corporations, 
        organizations, and individuals; and
Whereas, the sustained recovery of the bald eagle population will require the 
        continuation of recovery, management, education, and public awareness 
        programs, to ensure that the population and habitat of bald eagles will 
        remain healthy and secure for future generations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates June 20, 2007, as ``American Eagle Day''; 
        and
            (2) encourages--
                    (A) educational entities, organizations, 
                businesses, conservation groups, and government 
                agencies with a shared interest in conserving 
                endangered species to collaborate on education 
                information for use in schools; and
                    (B) the people of the United States to observe 
                American Eagle Day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                other activities.
                                 <all>