The laws, signed by President Joe Biden, highlights the bald eagle’s longstanding significance in American tradition.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into legislation a invoice that formally designates the bald eagle because the nationwide hen of america, correcting what lawmakers referred to as a long-overlooked omission.
Recognized for its hanging white head, yellow beak, and brown physique, the bald eagle has symbolized American independence, power, and freedom because it “was adopted because the Coat of Arms for america Nice Seal” on June 20, 1782,” the invoice mentioned.
Based on the legislation, the bald eagle stays “the main insignia for all branches of america navy.”
Congress famous the hen’s prevalence in authorities imagery, describing it as “the main picture on hundreds of Federal Authorities branches, departments, and companies, together with the President, Vice-President, Congress, and Senate.”
The laws additionally acknowledges the bald eagle’s non secular and cultural significance to Indigenous peoples and Tribal communities, describing it as “integral to the non secular lives and sacred perception programs of most Indigenous peoples” and “prevalent in perception, observe, tales, ceremonies, dance, traditions, songs, regalia, flags, insignias, arts, craft, and different types of non secular reverence.”
Congress celebrated the hen’s restoration from close to extinction, crediting the “joint efforts of the Federal Authorities and State and native governments, nonprofit organizations, and people” that “have contributed to the profitable restoration of the bald eagle.”
The laws ensures that the designation is not going to have an effect on present authorities insurance policies.
“Nothing in … the adoption of the bald eagle because the nationwide hen of america could also be … used as a cause to change … or in any other case have an effect on” any coverage or motion of the federal authorities, the invoice states.
The legislation’s passage formalizes the bald eagle’s standing as a cherished nationwide image, underscoring its function in each historical past and fashionable American life.
The invoice was sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat.
The Related Press contributed to this report.