[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN ITS 50TH YEAR, ANNUAL MAINE BALD EAGLE TRIP HIGHLIGHTS COMEBACK OF 
                             AMERICAN ICON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th running 
of an important annual event in my state that highlights the comeback 
of an American icon.
  In 1969, Dick Anderson led his first trip for Maine Audubon to try to 
spot bald eagles in Maine's Merrymeeting Bay. At the time, it was the 
last accessible place in the entire state to see a nesting pair--a 
result of the terrible toll the pesticide DDT had taken on the nation's 
bald eagle population, which had dwindled to just over 400 pairs in the 
continental U.S. in the 1960s.
  Anderson continued to bring people to Merrymeeting Bay annually. In 
the early years, they were lucky to see one or two eagles. But as a 
national ban on DDT, the Endangered Species Act, and other 
environmental laws did their work, these trips yielded more birds every 
year. As Maine Audubon continues the annual tradition--holding its 50th 
cruise this month--participants can now expect to see at least 50 bald 
eagles.
  What a sight it is to see these great birds soar high in the air, 
dive to snatch a fish from the water, or perch upon their massive 
nests. It's astonishing to think how close we came to losing this 
living symbol of our nation. This species' recovery from the brink of 
extinction is an amazing success story for federal environmental 
protections.
  But this story is not yet over. I'm afraid a new chapter is now being 
written as efforts are underway, both in Congress and under the current 
Administration, to weaken the Endangered Species Act and other 
protections. Now is not the time to undo the progress we have made. In 
fact, with climate change and other environmental threats before us, we 
need these laws more than ever--not just for bald eagles, but also for 
the hundreds of wildlife species that remain on the threatened and 
endangered lists.
  Again, I congratulate Maine Audubon on its 50th eagle trip and 
commend Dick Anderson and other conservation leaders for protecting the 
incredible natural resources in my state. I hope these trips continue 
to see more and more bald eagles every year--because that would mean we 
are still doing our job in Washington to responsibly steward the lands, 
waters, and wildlife that are in our trust.

                          ____________________