Governor Proclaims American Eagle Day 2023

WHEREAS, the Bald Eagle was designated as the United States’ National Emblem by our Founding Fathers at the Second Continental Congress on June 20, 1782; and

WHEREAS, the Bald Eagle is unique to North America and represents American values of 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 logos of many branches of the United States Government, including the Presidency, Congress, Defense Department, Treasury Department, Justice Department, State Department, Department of Commerce, 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, lifestyles, and heritage of Americans from all walks of life, as well as 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 the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and was upgraded to a less imperiled threatened status under the same act in 1995; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Interior and United States Fish & Wildlife Service delisted the Bald Eagle from the Endangered Species Act protection in 2007, but it will continue to be protected under the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and

WHEREAS, the recovery of the North American Bald Eagle population was largely accomplished through the dedicated efforts of caring agencies, corporations, organizations, and individuals committed to preserving their natural habitat, our wildlife, and the symbolic presence of our national bird;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2023, as “AMERICAN EAGLE DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.