(RightIsRight.co) – At long last, Congress finally passed a bill to officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.
This long-overdue legislation enshrines the majestic bird’s status as a symbol of freedom, strength and independence.
The House of Representatives passed the bill months after the Senate unanimously approved it on July 29.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduced this bipartisan effort, showing that the nation’s symbols still unite Americans despite political divisions.
The legislation now awaits Joe Biden’s signature to become law, officially codifying what many Americans have long believed to be true.
Rep. Russell Fry emphasized the bald eagle’s deep-rooted significance in American culture.
He stated, “The bald has long been associated with and a symbol of the United States…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 bald eagle has been featured on the national seal since 1782, embodying the spirit of American exceptionalism.
Its image graces various state symbols, constantly reminding Americans of the nation’s values.
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation designating the bald eagle as our national bird.
This symbol of strength and freedom will forever represent our American values! pic.twitter.com/sdsJzW6Z0A
— Rep. Randy Feenstra (@RepFeenstra) December 16, 2024
Sen. Tina Smith stated, “The bald eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries.”
Importantly, this legislation acknowledges the bald eagle’s significance to Native American communities, respecting their cultural heritage while reinforcing a shared American identity.
Fry noted, “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.”
The bill’s passage is a victory for Preston Cook, an “eaglevangelist” from Minnesota who has championed this cause.
Cook’s dedication to preserving American heritage is reflected in his large collection of over 40,000 eagle-related items housed at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota.
“I saw a movie called ‘A Thousand Clowns’ in 1966 and there was one line in the movie, ‘You can’t have too many eagles,'” Cook said.
“I walked out of the theater and I said that might be an interesting thing to collect,” he added.
The bald eagle’s journey from near-extinction to its current thriving population mirrors America’s own story of resilience and triumph.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, bald eagle populations have rebounded significantly in recent decades.
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