The United States House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday (December 16th) officially designating the Bald Eagle as the national bird of the United States. This bill, which had already been approved in the Senate, is now set to be submitted to President Biden for signing into law.
With a verbal vote, the House of Representatives approved the bill on Monday. Although the Bald Eagle had been included in the design of the national emblem as far back as 1782, this iconic symbol of the United States had never been formally recognized as the national bird at a legislative level.
Republican Representative Russel Fry from South Carolina expressed his support for the bill in the House, stating, “The Bald Eagle has long been associated with America and serves as a symbol of our nation… It appears on our military flags and emblems, on passports and currency. It also features on the flags of several states. The Bald Eagle holds significant importance for Native American tribes in the United States. It plays a crucial role in their religious beliefs, traditions, stories, ceremonies, and emblems.”
Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma who co-sponsored the legislation in the Senate, said in a statement, “The Bald Eagle has been a symbol of our nation’s freedom and patriotism for a long time. It is only fitting that we officially designate the Bald Eagle as the national bird of the United States.”
The initiative to designate the Bald Eagle as the national bird was initially spearheaded by Preston Cook, the co-chair of the National Bird Initiative at the National Eagle Center based in Minnesota.
Cook stated, “While most people assume the Bald Eagle is the official bird of our country, the truth is that the United States did not have an official bird. The Bald Eagle has long been revered as a symbol of our nation, and it is time to grant it the rightful status as our nation’s official national bird.”
The bill is now on its way to the White House for President Biden’s signature, making it a law.