Congress passes bill to officially recognize the bald eagle as America’s national bird, solidifying its status as a symbol of freedom and strength.
At a Glance
- The House and Senate passed a bill to designate the bald eagle as the official national bird of the United States
- The bill received bipartisan support and is now awaiting President Biden’s signature
- The bald eagle has been an unofficial national symbol since 1782
- This legislation emphasizes the bird’s cultural significance, especially for indigenous communities
- The bill carries no financial implications or new conservation efforts
A Long-Awaited Official Recognition
In a move that might surprise many Americans who assumed it was already the case, Congress has passed a bill to officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. The House of Representatives passed the legislation, following the Senate’s unanimous approval on July 29. This bipartisan effort, spearheaded by Senator Amy Klobuchar, aims to formalize the bald eagle’s status in U.S. law.
The bald eagle has been a de facto national symbol since 1782 when it was placed on the Great Seal of the United States. It has since appeared on various state flags, seals, and government insignia. However, until now, its position as the national bird was not officially codified in U.S. law.
Symbol of American Values
The legislation emphasizes the bald eagle’s significance as a symbol of independence, strength, and freedom. Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) highlighted the bird’s widespread use in American iconography, stating, “The bald eagle appears on the flags and insignia of our military, on passports and currency. It appears on the flags of several states as well.”
The bill also recognizes the bald eagle’s importance to Native American tribes across the United States. Rep. Fry noted, “It plays a key role in sacred belief systems and traditions, stories, ceremonies, and insignias.” This acknowledgment underscores the bird’s deep-rooted cultural significance beyond its role as a national symbol.
A Grassroots Effort
The push for official recognition was largely driven by Preston Cook, an “eaglevangelist” from Wabasha, Minnesota, and the National Eagle Center. Cook, who has amassed a collection of over 40,000 eagle-related items, worked with Congress to bring this legislation forward. His passion for eagles began decades ago, inspired by a line from a 1966 movie: “You can’t have too many eagles.”
The National Eagle Center staff were surprised to learn that the bald eagle was not already officially designated as the national bird. This revelation sparked the initiative to work with lawmakers to rectify this oversight.
Conservation Success Story
The bald eagle’s journey to becoming the official national bird is also a testament to successful conservation efforts. Once endangered due to habitat loss and the use of DDT pesticides, the bald eagle population has rebounded significantly in recent decades. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports a remarkable recovery, showcasing the effectiveness of protection measures like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
As the bill awaits President Joe Biden’s signature, it’s worth noting that this legislation doesn’t introduce any new financial obligations or conservation efforts. Instead, it serves to formally recognize the bald eagle’s long-standing role in American culture and history, cementing its place among other official national symbols like the anthem, motto, and floral emblem.
Sources:
House Passes Bill to Designate Bald Eagle as National Bird
One man’s mission to (finally) make the bald eagle the U.S. national bird
Bill to officially make bald eagle national bird heads to Biden’s desk
