NBC News - House passes bill to make the bald eagle the official U.S. bird
A small town in Minnesota has a unique connection to the bald eagle, which has been a symbol of America but was never officially designated as the national bird. This oversight was discovered by Preston Cook while researching for a book. Cook, who has been collecting eagle memorabilia since 1966, amassed over 40,000 pieces and saw the eagle as a symbol of freedom, independence, and power. He partnered with the National Eagle Center to draft a bill to officially recognize the bald eagle as the national bird. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and was also approved by the House, marking a rare bipartisan agreement in Congress.
Key Points:
- The bald eagle was never officially the national bird despite its symbolic presence.
- Preston Cook discovered this oversight and initiated a campaign to rectify it.
- Cook's collection of over 40,000 eagle-related items highlights the eagle's symbolic importance.
- The bill to recognize the bald eagle as the national bird passed unanimously in the Senate.
- The House also approved the bill, showcasing rare bipartisan support.