A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4610, a bill that would amend chapter III of title 36 of the United States Code, which codifies various national symbols to designate the bald eagle as our national bird.

The bald eagle, native to North America, is a longstanding and cherished symbol, as well as one for whom football fans in my district share a special affection. However, it may surprise people to know that the law does not already designate the bald eagle as our national bird.

In 1782, the bald eagle was adopted as part of the Coat of Arms for the Great Seal of the United States. It has been incorporated into the Seals of the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the President and Vice President of the United States, and various government departments and agencies.

It is also deeply embedded into our culture as a symbol of patriotism, reflecting the strength, majesty, and grace of our great Nation.

However, by the 1960s, this powerful symbol of American freedom was on its way to extinction due to the combined impact of environmental hazards and habitat laws.

In the late 1970s, the bald eagle was designated as endangered in many of the lower 48 States. Today, its population has recovered significantly, thanks to targeted conservation measures spearheaded by the Federal Government and private individuals. These included habitat protection, the banning of certain poisons and pesticides, and captive breeding programs, all of which led to the bald eagle being removed from the endangered species list and to its becoming a symbol of how the Endangered Species Act can save wildlife from extinction.

The bald eagle population in the lower 48 States has increased from 417 nesting pairs in 1963 to more than 71,400 nesting pairs and 316,700 individual birds today. In bringing this bill to the floor, we applaud the efforts of Senators Amy Klobuchar, Cynthia Lummis, Markwayne Mullin, and Tina Smith, as well as Brad Finstad and Angie Craig.

I urge the House to pass this legislation to designate the bald eagle as the national bird, or as we say in Philadelphia, Go Birds.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, I urge all Members to pass it, and send it to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on S. 4610.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4610, the counterpart to my bipartisan legislation to recognize the bald eagle as the National Bird of the United States of America.

Throughout this process, I have had the pleasure of working with the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, and we are proud that they call southern Minnesota home.

As an undisputed symbol of our Nation, the bald eagle represents the strength and independence that we hold in our hearts as American citizens, and it is past time it is rightfully recognized as the national bird.

Since 1782, the bald eagle has been a symbol of America featured on the Great Seal; however it has never been officially designated as the national bird.

It remains a symbol of freedom across the country, as it is an emblem for all branches of the military and serves as a logo, trademark, and brand icon for businesses, nonprofits, and sports teams across the country.

It is also represented on our stamps, coins, and currency, holds spiritual value for our tribal communities, and so much more.

This bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation gives the bald eagle the long-overdue recognition it deserves.

I would like to thank Senators Klobuchar and Lummis, as well as Representative Craig for partnering with me on this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 4610, and the Senate proceed to its immediate ratification.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.