[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 583 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 583

 Designating June 20, 2008, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating 
the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of 
                           the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                 June 5 (legislative day, June 4), 2008

 Mr. Alexander (for himself, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Corker, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
Coleman, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Schumer, 
   Mr. Specter, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Allard) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating June 20, 2008, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating 
the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of 
                           the United States.

Whereas, on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was officially designated as the 
        national emblem of the United States by the founding fathers at the 
        Second Continental Congress;
Whereas the bald eagle is the central image of the Great Seal of the United 
        States;
Whereas the image of the bald eagle is displayed in the official seal of many 
        branches and departments of the Federal Government, including--

    (1) the Office of the President;

    (2) the Office of the Vice President;

    (3) Congress;

    (4) the Supreme Court;

    (5) the Department of the Treasury;

    (6) the Department of Defense;

    (7) the Department of Justice;

    (8) the Department of State;

    (9) the Department of Commerce;

    (10) the Department of Homeland Security;

    (11) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

    (12) the Department of Labor;

    (13) the Department of Health and Human Services;

    (14) the Department of Energy;

    (15) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

    (16) the Central Intelligence Agency; and

    (17) the Postal Service;

Whereas the bald eagle is an inspiring symbol of--

    (1) the spirit of freedom; and

    (2) the democracy of the United States;

Whereas, since the founding of the Nation, the image, meaning, and symbolism of 
        the bald eagle have played a significant role in the art, music, 
        history, literature, architecture, and culture of the United States;
Whereas the bald eagle is prominently featured on the stamps, currency, and 
        coinage of the United States;
Whereas the habitat of bald eagles exists only in North America;
Whereas, by 1963, the population of bald eagles that nested in the lower 48 
        States had declined to approximately 417 nesting pairs;
Whereas, due to the dramatic decline in the population of bald eagles in the 
        lower 48 States, the Secretary of the Interior listed the bald eagle as 
        an endangered species on the list of endangered species published under 
        section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
        1533(c)(1));
Whereas caring and concerned citizens of the United States that represented 
        Federal, State, and private 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 of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior listed the 
        bald eagle as a threatened species on the list of threatened species 
        published under section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
        (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1));
Whereas, by 2006, the population of bald eagles that nested in the lower 48 
        States had increased to approximately 7,000 to 8,000 nesting pairs;
Whereas, on June 28, 2007, the Secretary of the Interior removed the bald eagle 
        from the list of threatened species published under section 4(c)(1) of 
        the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1));
Whereas bald eagles will still be protected in accordance with--

    (1) the Act of June 8, 1940 (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.) (commonly known as 
the ``Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940''); and

    (2) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.);

Whereas the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin 
        Act (Public Law 108-486; 118 Stat. 3934)--

    (1) was signed into law on December 23, 2004; and

    (2) directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins 
in 2008--

    G    (A) to celebrate the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle; 
and

    G    (B) to mark the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);

Whereas section 7(b) of the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem 
        Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108-486; 118 Stat. 3937) provides 
        that each surcharge received by the Secretary of the Treasury from the 
        sale of a coin issued under that Act ``shall be promptly paid by the 
        Secretary to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee'' to support 
        efforts to protect the bald eagle;
Whereas, on January 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury issued 3 limited 
        edition bald eagle commemorative coins;
Whereas, if not for the vigilant conservation efforts of concerned citizens and 
        the enactment of strict environmental protection laws (including 
        regulations) the bald eagle would be extinct;
Whereas the dramatic recovery of the population of bald eagles 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 population of bald eagles was accomplished 
        by the concerted efforts of numerous government agencies, corporations, 
        organizations, and individuals; and
Whereas the continuation of recovery, management, and public awareness programs 
        for bald eagles will be necessary to ensure--

    (1) the continued progress of the recovery of bald eagles; and

    (2) 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, 2008, as ``American Eagle Day'';
            (2) applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins 
        by the Secretary of the Treasury as a means by which to help 
        generate critical funds for the protection of bald eagles; and
            (3) encourages--
                    (A) educational entities, organizations, 
                businesses, conservation groups, and government 
                agencies with a shared interest in conserving 
                endangered species to collaborate and develop 
                educational tools for use in the public schools of the 
                United States; and
                    (B) the citizens of the United States to observe 
                American Eagle Day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                other activities.
                                 <all>