[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 498 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 19, 2012
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
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
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.
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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