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Preston Cook
The article Pat posted is by Pulitzer Prize winning author Jack Emerson Davis. He also wrote a book about the bald eagle. He and I are the National Co-Chairs of the initiative for Congress to pass legislation to formalize the blad eagle as our national bird. At this time Congress, nor any President, has named a national bird. Congress adopted the bald eagle as our national symbol and placed it on the great seal 242 years ago from last Thursday, June 20.
Some fifteen years ago researching my book I found no bill or proclamation naming the bald eagle our national bird. Last year I wrote a bill for Congress to do just that. It was presented to Minnesota members of the Senate and House. It gained by-partisan support in both houses and was introduced last week.
The press release below was picked up by over 200 newspapers, TV and radio stations last week. London Times article due out Monday.
NATIONAL EAGLE CENTER LEADS EFFORT TO MAKE THE BALD EAGLE AMERICA’S OFFICIAL BIRD
Legislation Introduced by Bipartisan Members of the
U.S. House and Senate
Wabasha, MN (June 18, 2024) The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN and a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are leading the effort to make the Bald Eagle the country’s national bird.
“While most people assume the Bald Eagle is our nation’s official bird, the fact is our country doesn’t have an official bird,” said Preston Cook, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. “The bison is the national mammal, the rose is the national flower, and the oak is the national tree. It’s time the Bald Eagle, long revered as our national symbol, finds its rightful place as our country’s official national bird.”
There is confusion on this issue because on June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress installed the Bald Eagle on the front of the Great Seal. Since then, the Bald Eagle has been a favored representative of the country, second only to the American flag. While there is no record of what was said in Congress on the day the Seal was approved, it remains a fact that the Bald Eagle was not identified as the national bird.
The legislative effort is being led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN) and Angie Craig (D-MN). The initiative also has the support of the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, which represents 36 indigenous nations.
Symbol of America
“Americans have long revered the Bald Eagle for its impressive stature, keen vision, and noble demeanor,” said John Wodele, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. “Its significance in American culture and history cannot be overstated, as it has been a symbol of national pride and unity for centuries. The Bald Eagle is also an iconic bird in Native American cultures, representing a shared reverence, a point of unity between indigenous peoples and a messenger to their creator.”
By officially designating the Bald Eagle as our national bird, Congress would reaffirm our nation's dedication to conservation and environmental stewardship while honoring a symbol that holds a special place in the hearts of Americans nationwide.
“The Bald Eagle's remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction is a testament to the effectiveness of conservation efforts in the United States,” said Jack Davis, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. “Through concerted conservation measures and the enactment of legislation such as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Bald Eagle population has rebounded, symbolizing our commitment to preserving our natural heritage for future generations.”
Lend your Support
The general public can add their support to the National Eagle Center’s effort by signing up on the website www.nationaleaglecenter.org.
About the National Bird Initiative & the National Eagle Center
The National Bird Initiative. launched by the National Eagle Center is co-chaired by:
Preston Cook is the author of American Eagle - A Visual History of Our National Emblem and a docent at the National Eagle Center.
John Wodele, a retired marketing and communications executive, is vice chair of the National Eagle Center board of directors.
Jack E. Davis is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Gulf, a sweeping cultural and natural history of the Gulf of Mexico and distinguished professor of history at the University of Florida. His most recent book, The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America’s Bird, was published in 2022.
The National Eagle Center is a unique educational and interpretive institution that has educated, enlightened, and entertained visitors from all 50 of the United States and 120 foreign countries since 1999. All of this takes place in Wabasha, MN, one of the most historic cities in Minnesota, on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, designated the Eagle Capitol of America.
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