III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 583 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— (A)to celebrate the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle; and (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

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.