Date: 2007-06-05
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleagues on the House Resources Committee for bringing this legislation that Ive 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 Today. Im 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. 0 1430In 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. I Mr. Speaker. I rise today to join my colleagues in recognizing American Eagle Day to honor the birds that have symbolized our countrys 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 eagles designation as ournational 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 worldfamous American bald eagle that appears at highprofile 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.