WASHINGTON,
Dec. 27, 2004 -- Just in time for the New
Year, the "American Bald Eagle Recovery & National Emblem
Commemorative Coin Act" (H.R. 4116) has been signed into law
by President George W. Bush to celebrate and further aid the recovery
of the American Bald Eagle. During the final hours of the 108th Congress,
the House of Representatives and Senate passed the legislation by unanimous
consent right after the Intelligence bill was voted on.
The
new law authorizes the U.S. Mint to create and market a gold, silver
and clad coin set ($5, $1 and $.50 pieces) in 2008 on the occasion
of the 35th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A
surcharge from the sale of each coin sold will be earmarked to create
a special American Eagle Fund endowment managed by the not-for-profit
American Eagle Foundation (www.eagles.org). When the coin set sells
out, it could raise $10 million for the eagle protection cause.
"We're
grateful to President Bush and hundreds of elected representatives
from across the nation for uniting behind this important effort to celebrate
and preserve our country's living symbol of freedom," said American
Eagle Foundation founder and president Al Cecere. "The amazing
groundswell of support this legislation received from caring Republicans
and Democrats was a real blessing for our national bird."
After
its "delisting" from ESA protection
occurs (either 2005 or 2006), the bald eagle will need substantial
funding to conduct on-going eagle recovery projects, including nest
monitoring programs and related public awareness efforts.
The AEF
is looking for conservation and patriotic minded corporations, philanthropists
and foundations to match the amount of revenue the coin sales
will raise. Millions of dollars from the private sector will be needed
to protect the national bird and its habitat.
The
eagle preservation organization and its trained bald eagle "Challenger" recently
visited 100 senate offices in a marathon 7-1/2 day effort to educate
representatives about bald eagle concerns and garner support
needed to pass the bill. The
group is hopeful that one of the coins will feature the image of its
nationally known celebrity eagle.
"This
special legislation recognizes and celebrates the successful comeback
of the American eagle to our lands, waterways and skies, but also
its great importance as a distinctive, unifying national symbol,"
said Cecere. "The U.S.A.'s national bird still
needs our continued vigilance and help to keep it flying strong and
free for future generations."
The
American Eagle Foundation (AEF), headquartered at Dollywood in Pigeon
Forge, TN, spearheaded the legislation in cooperation with members
of the Tennessee Congressional delegation and others. By the end
of November, 70 Senators and 300 House members had signed on as co-sponsors.
Congressman
William Jenkins (R-TN) introduced the original legislation (H.R.
4116) in the U. S. House of Representatives. Senators Lamar Alexander
(R-TN) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) introduced a companion bill (S. 2889)
in the U.S Senate. Senate Majority Leader Bill
Frist (R-TN), Congressman Harold Ford (D-TN), Congressman Ron Kind
(D-WI), Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN), the Tennessee delegation and
others worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure that the legislation
passed during the 108th Congress.
"On
June 20, 1782, our Founding Fathers selected the bald eagle as the
central image of the United States national emblem at the Second
Continental Congress," said Cecere. "This
majestic bird has come to represent the spirit of Freedom and Democracy
that makes our nation great."
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