HR0459 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0459 LRB095 12276 KXB 36809 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Bald Eagle was designated as the United States' 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 Office of the President; Congress; the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Treasury, Justice, and State; and the United States 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 United States military service men and women, American Indians, Christians, and members of various civic, fraternal, patriotic, veterans, youth, conservation, educational, outdoors, nature, sportsmen, 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, culture, and on U.S. stamps, currency, and coinage; and

WHEREAS, The Bald Eagle was once endangered with possible extinction but is now 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 then upgraded to a less imperiled "threatened" status under that Act in 1995; and

WHEREAS, The Bald Eagle is expected to be delisted from Endangered Species Act protection in 2007 by the Department of Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but 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 American Bald Eagle population was largely accomplished due to the vigilant efforts of numerous caring agencies, corporations, organizations and citizens; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim June 20, 2007, and every year thereafter as American Eagle Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Girl Scout Troop 1128 of Crystal Lake, Illinois, as a symbol of our appreciation of their efforts in presenting this recognition of the Bald Eagle to the General Assembly.