III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 542 

Designating June 20, 2010, 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 

MAY 27 (legislative day, MAY 26), 2010 

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

CRAPO, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. GREGG, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. BROWNBACK, 

and Mr. BAYH) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 

and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating June 20, 2010, 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, 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; 


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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 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 


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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 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.); 

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 strict environmental protection laws (including regulations) the bald 

eagle would probably be extinct; 

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, marks the 25th anniversary of 

the American Eagle Foundation; 

Whereas the dramatic recovery of the population of bald eagles— 

(1) is an endangered species success story; and 


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(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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates June 20, 2010, 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 generate critical funds for 

7 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 people of the United States to ob2 serve American Eagle Day with appropriate 

3 ceremonies and other activities. 

Æ 


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