[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 76 (Thursday, May 24, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENZI (for himself, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. 
        Conrad, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Thune, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Udall of 
        Colorado, Mr. Moran, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Johanns, and 
        Mr. Whitehouse):
  S. 3248. A bill to designate the North American bison as the national 
mammal of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I wish to provide a few comments regarding 
the introduction of the Bison Legacy Act. Senator Tim Johnson of South 
Dakota and I are introducing this legislation today because of the 
significant role the North American Bison has played in the history of 
our Nation. This bill honors that legacy by designating the bison as 
the national mammal of the United States.
  The bison has been integrally linked to the economic and spiritual 
lives of many Native American tribes over the centuries. Since our 
frontier days, the bison has become a symbol of American strength and 
determination. The Department of Interior has depicted the bison on its 
official seal for 94 years and the buffalo nickel played an important 
role in modernizing our currency in the early 20th century. At one 
point in American history, bison were brought in to graze outside the 
original Smithsonian building here in Washington, DC.
  I must also add that my home State of Wyoming is one of three states 
that recognize the bison as its official state mammal and has honored 
an image of a bison on the Wyoming state flag since it was first 
adopted in 1917. Today, thousands of American bison freely roam 
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The bison is also 
important to our state's economic well-being with a growing number of 
ranchers raising bison for consumers all over the world.
  This bill is supported by a wide variety of stakeholders. I want to 
recognize the National Bison Association who represents the interests 
of the bison ranchers in nearly every single State. Also behind this 
bill is the Intertribal Bison Council supporting the cultural role the 
bison has played in Native American history. Finally, there is the 
Wildlife Conservation Society who wishes to honor the restoration of 
bison in North America since the 19th century.
  I ask my colleagues to help me support and pass this legislation 
honoring the bison and designating it as our national mammal. The bison 
has and will continue to be a symbol of America, its people and a way 
of life.
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