[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 123 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AMENDING TITLE 36, UNITED STATES CODE, TO DESIGNATE THE BALD EAGLE AS 
                           THE NATIONAL BIRD

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of 
S. 4610, and the Senate proceed to its immediate ratification.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 4610) to amend title 36, United States Code, to 
     designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

  There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the 
Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read 
a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made 
and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 4610) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, 
was read the third time, and passed as follows:

                                S. 4610

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF BALD EAGLE AS NATIONAL BIRD.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United 
     States representing independence, strength, and freedom;
       (2) the bald eagle is unique to North America;
       (3) on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was adopted as the 
     Coat of Arms for the United States Great Seal;
       (4) the bald eagle image remains the leading insignia for 
     all branches of the United States military;
       (5) the bald eagle is the leading image on thousands of 
     Federal Government branches, departments, and agencies, 
     including the President, Vice-President, Congress, and 
     Senate;
       (6) the bald eagle serves as the logo, trademark, and brand 
     icon for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and sports 
     teams across the United States;
       (7) bald eagles are integral to the spiritual lives and 
     sacred belief systems of most Indigenous peoples and Tribal 
     communities;
       (8) bald eagles are prevalent in belief, practice, stories, 
     ceremonies, dance, traditions, songs, regalia, flags, 
     insignias, arts, craft, and other forms of spiritual 
     reverence;
       (9) bald eagle festivals are--
       (A) held in over 100 locations across the United States; 
     and
       (B) key components of community engagement;
       (10) the bald eagle is prevalent on--
       (A) hundreds of United States stamps; and
       (B) many United States coins and currencies;
       (11) the bald eagle is a primary component and symbol on 
     Federal and State flags throughout the United States; and
       (12) joint efforts of the Federal Government and State and 
     local governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals 
     have contributed to the successful recovery of the bald 
     eagle.
       (b) Designation.--Chapter 3 of title 36, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 306. National bird

       ``The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national 
     bird.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections for 
     chapter 3 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the chapter heading, by striking ``AND TREE'' and 
     inserting ``TREE, AND BIRD''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:

``306. National bird.''.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, the 
     amendments made by this section, or the adoption of the bald 
     eagle as the national bird of the United States may be 
     construed or used as a reason to alter, change, modify, or 
     otherwise affect any plan, policy, management decision, 
     regulation, or other action of the Federal Government.

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