Bill naming bald eagle national bird on way to White House
Source: Roll Call
Posted December 16, 2024 at 5:27pm
The bald eagle has (almost) landed as the national bird of the United States after the House on Monday cleared the bill to make the designation official. All that remains is a signature from President Joe Biden, and the eagle will have the same status as the national mammal (the American bison), the national flower (the rose) and the national tree (the oak), each of which was elevated by federal legislation in the two-and-a-half centuries since the bald eagle became an unofficial symbol of the nation during the Second Continental Congress in 1782. That’s when the Great Seal of the United States, which displays the eagle front and center, was approved.
“It makes me feel like I’m levitating,” said Preston Cook, a lifelong collector of eagle memorabilia who discovered that Congress had never designated a national bird while he was writing a book about the bald eagle’s role in U.S. history. “I am thrilled this bill has passed the Senate and now the House to honor, after 240 years, our living symbol, the bald eagle,” Cook said. “This bill gives the bald eagle the recognition it fully deserves.”
The bill passed the House by voice vote under suspension of the rules. The Senate passed the bill from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., to designate the bald eagle as the national bird by unanimous consent in July. The companion measure sponsored by Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., sat quietly in the House until Republican leaders moved Klobuchar’s bill to the House floor for Monday’s vote under suspension of the rules.
“More than 240 years ago, the Founding Fathers identified the bald eagle as a symbol of the strength and independence promised in our new nation. Since then, we have revered this majestic creature as the unquestionable icon of the United States,” Finstad said in a statement after the vote. “Today, we rightfully recognize the bald eagle as our official national bird — bestowing an honor that is long overdue.”
Read more: https://rollcall.com/2024/12/16/bill-naming-bald-eagle-national-bird-on-way-to-white-house/
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So do I!
at one time had the current KC coach AND had the brother of of Travis Kelsey (Jason) - the former I was ready to get rid of when he was here and the latter whose brother I miss at Center since he retired.
as a very young child living a few years down the street from the parents of Terry Bradshaw--whose whole family played and passed in the street (including an older brother, LSU "hero" who broke his back ending his career, and the youngest, Craig, who tried to follow in Terry's lead but never made a big mark in the NFL). But, their mother was a real wacko (as I can recall from my father's neighborly but rather amusing "dealings" with her....LOL)
I do remember Terry passing to little brother Craig in the street, though. He was a bit of a wacko too then, albeit more sober and clearly talented. But, I'm equivocal in the big "Steelers" vs "Eagles" rivalry, though I tend to say, Let the Eagles fly!" 
that universal hand gesture
