American Eagle Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, the Bald Eagle was designated as the U.S.A’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, Congress, 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, culture; and on United States stamps, currency and coinage; and
WHEREAS, the bald eagle was once endangered with possible extinction, and 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 Endangered Species Act in 1973, and was upgraded to a less imperiled “threatened” status under that Act in 1995; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Interior and U.S and Fish & Wildlife Service delisted the bald eagle from Endangered Species protection in 2007, but will continue to be protected under the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and
WHEREAS, the recovery of the U.S.A’s bald eagle population was largely accomplished due to the vigilant efforts of numerous caring agencies, corporations, organizations and citizens:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2017, as
American Eagle Day
in the State of Alabama.
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 1st day of June 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor