[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3629-S3630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICAN EAGLE DAY
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 206 which was submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The bill clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 206) designating June 20, 2011, as
``American Eagle Day,'' and celebrating the recovery and
restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the
United States.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to,
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon
the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 206) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 206
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, commerce,
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 individuals from the Federal,
State, and private sectors banded together to save, and help
ensure the recovery and protection of, bald eagles;
Whereas, on July 20, 1969, the first manned lunar landing
occurred in the Apollo 11 Lunar Excursion Module, which was
named ``Eagle'';
Whereas the ``Eagle'' played an integral role in achieving
the goal of the United States of landing a man on the Moon
and returning that man safely to Earth;
Whereas, in 1995, as a result of the efforts of those
caring and concerned individuals, 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 2007, the population of bald eagles that nested
in the lower 48 States had increased to approximately 10,000
nesting pairs, an increase of approximately 2,500 percent
from the preceding 40 years;
Whereas, in 2007, the population of bald eagles that nested
in the State of Alaska was approximately 50,000 to 70,000;
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 remain 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, on January 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury
issued 3 limited edition bald
[[Page S3630]]
eagle commemorative coins under the American Bald Eagle
Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public
Law 108-486; 118 Stat. 3934);
Whereas the sale of the limited edition bald eagle
commemorative coins issued by the Secretary of the Treasury
has raised approximately $7,800,000 for the nonprofit
American Eagle Foundation of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to
support efforts to protect the bald eagle;
Whereas, if not for the vigilant conservation efforts of
concerned Americans and the enactment of strict environmental
protection laws (including regulations) the bald eagle would
probably be extinct;
Whereas the American Eagle Foundation has brought
substantial public attention to the cause of the protection
and care of the bald eagle nationally;
Whereas November 4, 2010, marked the 25th anniversary of
the American Eagle Foundation;
Whereas the dramatic recovery of the population of bald
eagles--
(1) is an endangered species success story; and
(2) 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, 2011, 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
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 people of the United States to observe American
Eagle Day with appropriate ceremonies and other activities.
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