June 20, 2023: American Eagle Day

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

WHEREAS, the Bald Eagle is unique to North America and represents American values and attributes including 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 the logos of many branches of the U.S. government, including the Presidency, Congress, Defense Department, Treasury Department, Justice Department, State Department, Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Postal Service; and,  

WHEREAS, the Bald Eagle’s image, meaning, and symbolism have played a significant role in the beliefs, traditions, religions, lifestyles, and heritage of Americans from all walks of life, including U.S. military service members, American Indians, Christians, and members of various civic, fraternal, patriotic, Veterans, youth, conservation, educational, outdoor, nature, sportsman, wildlife, political, and sports organizations; and, 

WHEREAS, the Bald Eagle’s image, meaning, and symbolism have played a significant role 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 that act in 1995; and,

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

WHEREAS, the recovery of the U.S.’s Bald Eagle population was largely accomplished due to the vigilant efforts of numerous agencies, companies, organizations, and citizens;  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2023, as American Eagle Day in Michigan.