WASHINGTON,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, December 9, 2004 – While Congress
was busy debating and passing a suitable Intelligence bill to help defend
our nation’s security and freedoms, the very symbol of those rights
(and the U.S.A. itself) was also getting a big boost to secure its own
future health and welfare. The "American Bald Eagle Recovery & National
Emblem Commemorative Coin Act" (H.R. 4116 & S.2889) was unanimously
passed by the House and Senate by the end of the 108th Congress on Wednesday
evening.
"We are very grateful to Senator Frist, Senator Alexander, Senator
Landrieu, Congressman Jenkins, Congressman Harold Ford and others for
believing in this important effort to recognize and preserve our country’s
living symbol of freedom," said American Eagle Foundation Founder & President
Al Cecere, “The warm welcome given to our staff and trained bald
eagle on Capitol Hill, and the amazing groundswell of support this legislation
received from elected representatives across the nation was a very special
Christmas blessing for our national bird."
The not-for-profit
American Eagle Foundation (AEF), headquartered at Dollywood in Pigeon
Forge, TN, originated the concept for the bill a few years ago. Their
staff and trained celebrity bald eagle "Challenger" recently
visited 100 senate offices in a marathon 7 ½ day effort to educate
representatives about bald eagle concerns and garner final support needed
to pass the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Frist made a special
five-minute comment about the AEF, Challenger and the legislation from
the Senate floor soon after the bill had been officially approved.
As a result
of the educational visits, more than 40 U.S. Senators met directly
with the AEF and "Challenger", and 70 senators immediately
agreed to support the bill by signing on as co-sponsors. In April 2004,
similar visits were made to numerous Congressional representatives in
the House, and 300 co-sponsors were enlisted by the end of June.
The AEF
needed 67 co-sponsors in the Senate and 290 co-sponsors in the House
to advance the bills out of their respective financial and banking
committees for floor votes on Tuesday (House) and Wednesday (Senate).
"On
June 20, 1782, the U.S.A.'s Founding Fathers selected the Bald Eagle
as the central image of the United States national emblem at the Second
Continental Congress," said AEF founder and president Al Cecere, "Since
then, this majestic bird has come to represent the spirit of Freedom
and Democracy that makes our nation great, and needs our continued
vigilance and help."
The “Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin Act” recognizes
and celebrates the recovery and success story of the American eagle,
but also its great importance as a distinctive and unifying National
Symbol.
Senate and
House versions of the bill were introduced by Congressman Bill Jenkins
(R-TN), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
during 2004. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), Congressman
Harold Ford (D-TN), Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI), Congressman Bart Gordon
(D-TN), the entire Tennessee delegation and others also worked diligently
behind the scenes to ensure that the legislation passed by the end of
the 108th Congress.
The bill
is supported by a number of national civic, fraternal and conservation
groups, including the International Association of Fish & Wildlife
Agencies, American Zoo & Aquarium Association, Fraternal Order of
Eagles, National Wild Turkey Federation, Environmental Defense Fund,
Jack Hanna - Columbus Zoo, and Lt. Governor Pat Quinn – State of
Illinois.
When signed
into law by the President (within the next 10 days), the legislation
would authorize the U.S. Mint to create and market a three-coin gold,
silver and clad set ($5, $1 and $.50 pieces) in 2008 (the 35th Anniversary
of the ESA). The AEF is hopeful that one of the coins
will feature the image of "Challenger".
"The Bald Eagle has been making a gradual and encouraging comeback
in the lower 48 States. Although presently classified as a 'Threatened
Species' under the Endangered Species Act, our National Bird may soon
be 'delisted' from ESA protection," said Cecere. "Then we'll
need additional funding support to keep it flying strong and free for
the future".
"Under ESA provisions, a recovered species must be monitored by
Federal and State wildlife agencies for a period of at least 5 years
after being 'delisted', said Cecere, “Therefore, the Bald Eagle
will require substantial funding to conduct on-going eagle recovery projects,
including nest monitoring programs and related public awareness efforts."
A surcharge from the sale of each coin sold will be earmarked to create
an American Eagle Fund endowment managed by the AEF. If the coin set
sells out, it has the potential of raising $10,750,000 for eagles. The
AEF will be looking for conservation and patriotic minded corporations,
philanthropists and foundations to match that amount. Similar minted
coin sets have generated millions of dollars in surcharges for other
causes.
Once the proposed U.S. Mint coin set has sold out, the annual interest
generated from surcharge revenues placed in the American Eagle Fund would
be disbursed (in the form of competitive grants) to support on-going
state, federal and private eagle care, monitoring and protection programs
within the five U.S.F.W.S. Bald Eagle Recovery Regions. At least fifty-percent
of such annual grant monies would be earmarked to support eagle programs
managed by various State fish and wildlife agencies.
"Working together as caring and concerned citizens, we can help
keep America's eagles flying strong and free for future generations to
enjoy," said Cecere.
###
|
