[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  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:

                              S. Res. 583

       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
       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.

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