After long being an unofficial symbol, the white-headed, yellow-beaked bald eagle became the official bird of the United States on Christmas Eve.
President Biden signed 50 bills on Tuesday. That included Senate Bill 4610. An Act to Amend Title 36 U.S. Code designating predators as national birds.
The bill was originally introduced on the Senate floor in July. The bill passed unanimously and passed the House without opposition in December.
“The bald eagle is a symbol of our nation's freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles. Along with the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, we are also home to the largest bald eagle population in the country.” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota). Senate bill sponsor, said earlier this month.
“With the passage of our bill, the bald eagle will be officially recognized as our national bird,” she added.
The bald eagle was adopted as the emblem of the United States in June 1782. It is also the primary insignia of all U.S. military branches. Bald eagles are depicted on currency, public buildings, flags, documents, sports teams, and more.
Minnesota resident Preston Cook has been lobbying lawmakers for years to designate the bald eagle as the nation's official bird. He drafted a bill and sent it to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Preston lives in Wabasha, Minnesota, where the National Eagle Center is located. This week, his efforts paid off.
“Today is an exciting day. “The bald eagle has symbolized American ideals since it appeared on the Great Seal in 1782. With this legislation, we honor its historic role and honor our national bird and our nation. It solidifies its status as a symbol of identity,” said Cook, the book's author. “The American Eagle: A Visual History of the National Seal” Said in mid-December.
