[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4304-S4305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 498--DESIGNATING JUNE 20, 2012, 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. Inouye, Mr. Coons, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. 
Roberts, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Corker, Mr. Brown of 
Massachusetts, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Cardin, and Mr. Sessions) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

[[Page S4305]]

                              S. Res. 498

       Whereas on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was officially 
     designated as the national emblem of the United States by the 
     founding fathers in the Congress of the Confederation;
       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 sovereignty 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 entitled ``An Act for the protection of the 
     bald eagle'', approved 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 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 conservation laws 
     (including regulations), the bald eagle would face 
     extinction;
       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 facilities around the United States, such as the 
     Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University in the State 
     of Alabama, rehabilitate injured eagles for release into the 
     wild;
       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, 2012, 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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