[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 186 (Monday, December 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H7171-H7172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1630
DESIGNATION OF BALD EAGLE AS NATIONAL BIRD
Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 4610) to amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the
bald eagle as the national bird.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is 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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Fry) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms.
Scanlon) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
General Leave
Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material on S. 4610.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from South Carolina?
There was no objection.
Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the bald eagle has long been associated with and a
symbol of the United States. It was first adopted in the Great Seal of
the United States in 1782.
Versions of the Great Seal are used in the Seal of the President of
the United States, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and by
countless Federal agencies and departments.
The bald eagle appears on the flags and insignia of our military, on
our passports, and on our currency. It appears on the flags and the
seals of several States as well.
The bald eagle is also important to Native American Tribes across the
United States. It plays a key role in sacred belief systems and
traditions, stories, ceremonies, and insignias.
Despite this long and intertwined history of the United States, the
bald eagle has not been officially designated as our national bird. S.
4610 would change that. This bill would amend title 36 to enshrine the
bald eagle as the national bird along with our national anthem,
national motto, and other symbols of our country.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support the bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4610, a bill that would amend
chapter III of title 36 of the United States Code, which codifies
various national symbols to designate the bald eagle as our national
bird.
The bald eagle, native to North America, is a longstanding and
cherished symbol, as well as one for whom football fans in my district
share a special affection. However, it may surprise people to know that
the law does not already designate the bald eagle as our national bird.
In 1782, the bald eagle was adopted as part of the Coat of Arms for
the Great Seal of the United States. It has been incorporated into the
Seals of the United States House of Representatives and the U.S.
Senate, the President and Vice President of the United States, and
various government departments and agencies.
It is also deeply embedded into our culture as a symbol of
patriotism, reflecting the strength, majesty, and grace of our great
Nation.
However, by the 1960s, this powerful symbol of American freedom was
on its way to extinction due to the combined impact of environmental
hazards and habitat laws.
[[Page H7172]]
In the late 1970s, the bald eagle was designated as endangered in
many of the lower 48 States. Today, its population has recovered
significantly, thanks to targeted conservation measures spearheaded by
the Federal Government and private individuals. These included habitat
protection, the banning of certain poisons and pesticides, and captive
breeding programs, all of which led to the bald eagle being removed
from the endangered species list and to its becoming a symbol of how
the Endangered Species Act can save wildlife from extinction.
The bald eagle population in the lower 48 States has increased from
417 nesting pairs in 1963 to more than 71,400 nesting pairs and 316,700
individual birds today. In bringing this bill to the floor, we applaud
the efforts of Senators Amy Klobuchar, Cynthia Lummis, Markwayne
Mullin, and Tina Smith, as well as Brad Finstad and Angie Craig.
I urge the House to pass this legislation to designate the bald eagle
as the national bird, or as we say in Philadelphia, Go Birds.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, I urge all Members to pass
it, and send it to the President's desk.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I echo the sentiments of my colleague from
across the aisle and I urge my colleagues to support S. 4610.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FINSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4610, the
counterpart to my bipartisan legislation to recognize the bald eagle as
the National Bird of the United States of America.
Throughout this process, I have had the pleasure of working with the
National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, and we are proud that they
call southern Minnesota home.
As an undisputed symbol of our Nation, the bald eagle represents the
strength and independence that we hold in our hearts as American
citizens, and it is past time it is rightfully recognized as the
national bird.
Since 1782, the bald eagle has been a symbol of America featured on
the Great Seal; however it has never been officially designated as the
national bird.
It remains a symbol of freedom across the country, as it is an emblem
for all branches of the military and serves as a logo, trademark, and
brand icon for businesses, nonprofits, and sports teams across the
country.
It is also represented on our stamps, coins, and currency, holds
spiritual value for our tribal communities, and so much more.
This bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation gives the bald eagle the
long-overdue recognition it deserves.
I would like to thank Senators Klobuchar and Lummis, as well as
Representative Craig for partnering with me on this legislation, and I
urge all of my colleagues to vote in support.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Fry) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 4610.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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