[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14568-14569]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF AMERICAN EAGLE DAY

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 341) supporting the goals and ideals of 
``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of 
the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 341

       Whereas the bald eagle was designated as the national 
     emblem of the United States on June 20, 1782, by our 
     country's Founding Fathers at the Second Continental 
     Congress;
       Whereas the bald eagle is the central image used in the 
     Great Seal of the United States and the seals of the 
     President and Vice President;
       Whereas the image of the bald eagle is displayed in the 
     official seal of many branches and departments of the Federal 
     Government, including--
       (1) Congress;
       (2) the Supreme Court;
       (3) the Department of Defense;
       (4) the Department of the Treasury;
       (5) the Department of Justice;
       (6) the Department of State;
       (7) the Department of Commerce;
       (8) the Department of Homeland Security;
       (9) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
       (10) the Department of Labor;
       (11) the Department of Health and Human Services;
       (12) the Department of Energy;
       (13) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
       (14) the Central Intelligence Agency; and
       (15) the United States Postal Service;

       Whereas the bald eagle is an inspiring symbol of the 
     American spirit of freedom and democracy;
       Whereas the image, meaning, and symbolism of the bald eagle 
     have played a significant role in American art, music, 
     history, literature, architecture, and culture since the 
     founding of our Nation;
       Whereas the bald eagle is featured prominently on United 
     States stamps, currency, and coinage;
       Whereas the habitat of bald eagles exists only in North 
     America;
       Whereas by 1963, the number of nesting pairs of bald eagles 
     in the lower 48 States had dropped to about 417;
       Whereas the bald eagle was first listed as an endangered 
     species in 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation 
     Act, the Federal law that preceded the Endangered Species Act 
     of 1973;
       Whereas caring and concerned citizens of the United States 
     in the private and public sectors banded together to save, 
     and help ensure the protection of, bald eagles;
       Whereas in 1995, as a result of the efforts of those caring 
     and concerned citizens, bald eagles were removed from the 
     endangered species list and upgraded to the less imperiled 
     threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 
     1973;
       Whereas by 2006, the number of bald eagles in the lower 48 
     States had increased to approximately 7,000 to 8,000 nesting 
     pairs;
       Whereas the Secretary of the Interior is likely to 
     officially delist the bald eagle from both the endangered 
     species and threatened species lists under the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973, with a final decision expected no later 
     than June 29, 2007;
       Whereas if delisted under the Endangered Species Act of 
     1973, bald eagles should be provided strong protection under 
     the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory 
     Bird Treaty Act;
       Whereas bald eagles would have been permanently extinct if 
     not for vigilant conservation efforts of concerned citizens 
     and strict protection laws;
       Whereas the dramatic recovery of the bald eagle population 
     is an endangered species success story and an inspirational 
     example for other wildlife and natural resource conservation 
     efforts around the world;
       Whereas the initial recovery of the bald eagle population 
     was accomplished by the concerted efforts of numerous 
     government agencies, corporations, organizations, and 
     individuals; and
       Whereas the sustained recovery of the bald eagle 
     populations will require the continuation of recovery, 
     management, education, and public awareness programs, to 
     ensure that the populations and habitat of bald eagles will 
     remain healthy and secure for future generations: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``American Eagle 
     Day''; and
       (2) encourages--
       (A) educational entities, organizations, businesses, 
     conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared 
     interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate on 
     education information for use in schools; and
       (B) the people of the United States to observe American 
     Eagle Day with appropriate ceremonies and other activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Cannon) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 341 celebrates the recovery of the 
American bald eagle, the symbol of our country displayed on American 
currency and government agency seals, including that of the United 
States Congress. The bald eagle's recovery is a huge success story for 
the Endangered Species Act and the conservation laws which preceded it. 
In 1963, there were 417 pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 States. 
Today, there are an estimated 9,789 breeding pairs.
  Later this month, the Secretary of the Interior is expected to remove 
the bald eagle from the list of threatened species. Several Indian 
tribes, who consider the eagle extremely important to their culture and 
even sacred, have raised concerns that the eagle will lose all 
protections upon delisting. However, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and 
the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act will continue to protect the 
bald eagle.
  I commend Representative David Davis for introducing this resolution 
which encourages organizations and government agencies working on the 
conservation of endangered species to collaborate on education 
information for use in our schools. The resolution also asks the 
American people to observe American Eagle Day with appropriate 
ceremonies.
  This resolution merits our support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 341 which endorses the goals 
and ideals of American Eagle Day.
  Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the Second Continental 
Congress decided to use the image of the American bald eagle on the 
Great Seal of the United States. Since that time, the image of this 
majestic bird has graced

[[Page 14569]]

American art, our culture, currency and stamps. It has been the subject 
of more than 2,500 books, making the bald eagle the most extensively 
studied bird in North America.
  While there were nearly 500,000 on this continent prior to European 
settlement, this species was particularly devastated by various 
chemical compounds that caused widespread reproductive failure. In 
response, the Congress enacted the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act 
and the bird was listed on our Endangered Species Act.
  From its all-time low of 417 nesting pairs in the continental United 
States in 1963, extraordinary conservation efforts have saved the bald 
eagle, and we have witnessed a significant population increase. Today, 
there are 9,789 breeding pairs, not including the more than 30,000 bald 
eagles living in Alaska.
  By any objective standard, recovery of the bald eagle has been 
remarkable, but sadly, it is one of only a handful of species that have 
been recovered under the Endangered Species Act. While it is likely 
that the Secretary of the Interior will soon make a decision to remove 
the bald eagle from the Federal list of threatened and endangered 
species, there is no question that the bald eagle will continue to 
inspire millions of Americans because it symbolizes the fundamental 
values of this country of courage, freedom and patriotic spirit.
  Under the terms of House Resolution 341, the people of the United 
States are encouraged to observe American Eagle Day on June 20 and to 
provide educational information on the value of conserving our Nation's 
wildlife resources.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote and want to compliment the author of this 
resolution, freshman Congressman David Davis of Tennessee, for his 
effective leadership in proposing this celebration of American Eagle 
Day.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield so such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David Davis), who is the author of 
the bill.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my 
colleagues on the House Resources Committee for bringing this 
legislation that I've introduced, along with my fellow Tennessee 
Members, Jimmy Duncan and John Tanner, to the floor of the House today 
supporting the goals and ideals of American Eagle Day.
  Almost 225 years ago, on June 20, 1782, the Second Continental 
Congress designated the bald eagle as the national symbol of the United 
States. Since that time, the bald eagle has become a fixture on the 
seals and marks of the Federal Government and on our stamps, currency 
and coinage.
  And while the bald eagle has always been such a popular fixture in 
the hearts and minds of so many Americans, it is difficult to believe 
that we were very close to forever losing the symbol of our great 
country.
  In 1963, the number of nesting pairs of eagles in the 48 contiguous 
States had dwindled to a figure of just over 400. As the habitat for 
the bald eagle solely exists in North America, these figures were 
extremely alarming and led to the bald eagle being listed as an 
endangered species for the first time in 1967.
  Today, I'm pleased to note that, as a result of the Federal 
protection laws and through the diligent efforts of so many private 
conservationists, the bald eagle has made an incredible recovery.

                              {time}  1430

  In 1995, the bald eagle was removed from the endangered list to the 
threatened list, and it could very soon be moved permanently off of 
these lists as soon as Federal guidelines can be finalized that will 
forever protect the birds and their habitats.
  I have been extremely interested in this issue, not only because of 
the importance of this as a matter of national concern but also because 
of my firsthand experience in dealing with a group located in the heart 
of the First Congressional District of Tennessee that has been working 
for the last 22 years to save the bald eagle.
  The American Eagle Foundation is located in Pigeon Ford, Tennessee, 
at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This nonprofit 
group has worked to establish recovery programs to protect the eagle 
and actively cares for many nonreleasable birds to ensure they live 
healthy lives.
  In addition, they operate the largest bald eagle breeding facility in 
the world, and they have released hundreds of eaglets into the wild 
with the support of local, State and Federal officials.
  Through the efforts of the American Eagle Foundation and the 
grassroots efforts of children nationwide, I am pleased to offer this 
legislation for this consideration. Spaced conveniently between Flag 
Day on June 14 and Independence Day on July 4, July 20 will give 
Americans another day in which they can celebrate their patriotism by 
honoring the unique symbol of our heritage and folklore.
  I again thank my colleagues for bringing this legislation to the 
floor of the House and encourage all of my colleagues on the House to 
join me in supporting this bill.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
recognizing American Eagle Day to honor the birds that have symbolized 
our country's freedom and democracy for centuries. H. Res. 341 
encourages all Americans to acknowledge American Eagle Day on June 20, 
2007, which marks the 225th anniversary of the bald eagle's designation 
as our national symbol.
  The bald eagle habitats in Tennessee have been important in the 
recovery and restoration of this majestic species. I want to 
particularly thank the American Eagle Foundation and its president Al 
Cecere for their hard work to protect our American bald eagles. I have 
had the honor of visiting in my office with Al and Challenger, the 
world-famous American bald eagle that appears at high-profile events 
like the Super Bowl to represent the freedoms we enjoy in this great 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you and our colleagues will join me in supporting 
H. Res. 341 to celebrate June 20 as American Eagle Day.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 341.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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