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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-44
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
April 14, 2015
To declare June 20, 2015, as “American Eagle Day” in the District of Columbia, and celebrate the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.
WHEREAS, on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was officially designated as the national emblem of the United States by the founding fathers in the Congress of the Confederation;
WHEREAS, the bald eagle is unique to North America and represents, freedom, courage, strength, spirit, justice, quality, and excellence;
WHEREAS, the bald eagle is a central image used in the Great Seals of the United States and of the District of Columbia as well as the District of Columbia historic coat of arms;
WHEREAS, the bald eagle was federally classified as an endangered species in the lower 48 states under the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and was upgraded to less imperiled threatened status under the same act in 1995;
WHEREAS, the Department of the Interior and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service delisted the bald eagle from the Endangered Species Act protection in 2007, but it will continue to be protected under the Bald & Gold Eagle Act of 1940 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918;
WHEREAS, the recovery of the North American bald eagle population was largely accomplished through the dedicated efforts of citizens, agencies, and organizations committed to preserving our wildlife, their natural habitats, and the symbolic presence of our national bird; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these efforts, in the District of Columbia, bald eagles have reappeared along the Anacostia River for the first time since 1947 and bald eagles have been found nesting around the Bald Eagle Recreation Center in Ward 8 and the National Arboretum.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia declares June 20, 2015, as “American Eagle Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “American Eagle Day Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
