Designation of Bald Eagle As National Bird

Floor Speech

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Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4610) to amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 4610

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF BALD EAGLE AS NATIONAL BIRD.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--

(1) bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom;

(2) the bald eagle is unique to North America;

(3) on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was adopted as the Coat of Arms for the United States Great Seal;

(4) the bald eagle image remains the leading insignia for all branches of the United States military;

(5) the bald eagle is the leading image on thousands of Federal Government branches, departments, and agencies, including the President, Vice-President, Congress, and Senate;

(6) the bald eagle serves as the logo, trademark, and brand icon for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and sports teams across the United States;

(7) bald eagles are integral to the spiritual lives and sacred belief systems of most Indigenous peoples and Tribal communities;

(8) bald eagles are prevalent in belief, practice, stories, ceremonies, dance, traditions, songs, regalia, flags, insignias, arts, craft, and other forms of spiritual reverence;

(9) bald eagle festivals are--

(A) held in over 100 locations across the United States; and

(B) key components of community engagement;

(10) the bald eagle is prevalent on--

(A) hundreds of United States stamps; and

(B) many United States coins and currencies;

(11) the bald eagle is a primary component and symbol on Federal and State flags throughout the United States; and

(12) joint efforts of the Federal Government and State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals have contributed to the successful recovery of the bald eagle.

(b) Designation.--Chapter 3 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 306. National bird

``The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird.''.

(c) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in the chapter heading, by striking ``AND TREE'' and inserting ``TREE, AND BIRD''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following: ``306. National bird.''.

(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, the amendments made by this section, or the adoption of the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States may be construed or used as a reason to alter, change, modify, or otherwise affect any plan, policy, management decision, regulation, or other action of the Federal Government.

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Mr. FRY. 4610.

Mr. Speaker, the bald eagle has long been associated with and a symbol of the United States. It was first adopted in the Great Seal of the United States in 1782.

Versions of the Great Seal are used in the Seal of the President of the United States, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and by countless Federal agencies and departments.

The bald eagle appears on the flags and insignia of our military, on our passports, and on our currency. It appears on the flags and the seals of several States as well.

The bald eagle is also important to Native American Tribes across the United States. It plays a key role in sacred belief systems and traditions, stories, ceremonies, and insignias.

Despite this long and intertwined history of the United States, the bald eagle has not been officially designated as our national bird. S. 4610 would change that. This bill would amend title 36 to enshrine the bald eagle as the national bird along with our national anthem, national motto, and other symbols of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I echo the sentiments of my colleague from across the aisle and I urge my colleagues to support S. 4610.

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