III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 583 

Designating June 20, 2008, 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 5 (legislative day, JUNE 4), 2008 

Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself, Mr. BYRD, Mr. CORKER, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. 

COLEMAN, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. CRAPO, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. GREGG, Mr. 

SCHUMER, Mr. SPECTER, Mrs. BOXER, and Mr. ALLARD) submitted the 

following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating June 20, 2008, 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 at the Second Continental Congress; 

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; 


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(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 democracy 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, 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; 


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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 citizens of the United States 

that represented Federal, State, and private 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 of the United States, 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 2006, the population of bald eagles that nested 

in the lower 48 States had increased to approximately 

7,000 to 8,000 nesting pairs; 

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 will still be protected in accordance 

with— 

(1) the Act of 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.); 


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Whereas the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National 

Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108–486; 

118 Stat. 3934)— 

(1) was signed into law on December 23, 2004; and 

(2) directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 

commemorative coins in 2008— 

(A) to celebrate the recovery and restoration of 

the bald eagle; and 

(B) to mark the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 

seq.); 

Whereas section 7(b) of the American Bald Eagle Recovery 

and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public 

Law 108–486; 118 Stat. 3937) provides that each surcharge received by the Secretary of the Treasury from 

the sale of a coin issued under that Act ‘‘shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee’’ to support efforts to protect the bald 

eagle; 

Whereas, on January 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury issued 3 limited edition bald eagle commemorative 

coins; 

Whereas, if not for the vigilant conservation efforts of concerned citizens and the enactment of strict environmental 

protection laws (including regulations) the bald eagle 

would be extinct; 

Whereas the dramatic recovery of the population of bald eagles is an endangered species success story and an inspirational example for other wildlife and natural resource 

conservation efforts around the world; 


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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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates June 20, 2008, as ‘‘American 

3 Eagle Day’’; 

4 (2) applauds the issuance of bald eagle com5 memorative coins by the Secretary of the Treasury 

6 as a means by which to help generate critical funds 

7 for the protection of bald eagles; and 

8 (3) encourages— 

9 (A) educational entities, organizations, 

10 businesses, conservation groups, and govern11 ment agencies with a shared interest in con12 serving endangered species to collaborate and 

13 develop educational tools for use in the public 

14 schools of the United States; and 


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1 (B) the citizens of the United States to ob2 serve American Eagle Day with appropriate 

3 ceremonies and other activities. 

Æ 


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