While this development seems trivial, it’s long-overdue to honor this iconic bird.
Bicameral bipartisan bills in both Congressional chambers resoundingly passed and landed on outgoing President Joe Biden’s desk to amend title 36, United States Code, to elevate the bald eagle from national symbol to national bird.
On June 20, 1782, our Founding Fathers approved the Great Seal of the U.S. depicting a bald eagle. But no formal recognition ever followed—until this year. Benjamin Franklin allegedly preferred the turkey, a bird also native to the U.S., to become the official bird, writing, "For in Truth the Turk'y is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America...."Undoubtedly, the majority of Americans value and cherish this national symbol. But others don’t hold it in high regard. One of the most egregious acts taken against bald eagles came in winter 2023 when a pair of illegal aliens from Guatemala, living in Nebraska, shot and cooked one. The Biden administration was initially dismissive and silent on the issue. Thankfully, one of the assailants was ultimately caught and charged by the Department of Justice. Even America’s bird couldn’t evade the consequences of dangerous illegal immigration under the outgoing Biden-Harris administration.