American Eagle Day

WHEREAS, the bald eagle was designated as the United States of America’s national emblem on June 20, 1782 by our country’s founding fathers at the Second Continental Congress; and

WHEREAS, the bald eagle is unique to North America and represents such American values and attributes as freedom, courage, strength, spirit, justice, quality and excellence; and

WHEREAS, the bald eagle is the central image used in the great seal of the United States and in the logos of many branches of the U.S. Government, including the Presidency, Defense Department, Treasury Department, Justice Department, State Department, Department of Commerce and U.S. Postal Service; and

WHEREAS, the bald eagle’s image, meaning and symbolism have played a significant role in the beliefs, traditions, religions, lifestyles and heritage of Americans from all walks of life; including U.S. military service men and women, American Indians, Christians, and members of various civic, fraternal, patriotic, veterans, youth, conservation, educational, outdoors, nature, sportsman, wildlife, political and sports organizations; and

WHEREAS, the bald eagle’s image, meaning and symbolism have played a significant role in American art, music, literature, architecture, commerce, education and culture and have been prominently featured on United States stamps, currency and coinage; and

WHEREAS, once endangered and nearing extinction, the bald eagle is making a gradual and encouraging comeback to America’s skies; and

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 a less imperiled “threatened” status under that Act in 1995; and

WHEREAS, the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the Bald Eagle from  Endangered Species Act protection in 2007, but the species will continue to be protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act of 1940 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918; and

WHEREAS, the recovery of the United States of America’s bald eagle population was largely accomplished due to the vigilant efforts of numerous caring agencies, corporations, organizations and citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2012, as

American Eagle Day

in the state of the Alabama, and encourage all citizens support the majestic bald eagle’s continuing recovery and the protection of its precious natural habitat, while commemorating the living and symbolic presence of our national bird through the annual observance of American Eagle Day.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 22nd day of May 2012.

      

Governor Robert Bentley