K 1510: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 20, 2026, as American Eagle Day in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 1510 BY: M. of A. Rules (Brown K) MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 20, 2026, as American Eagle Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that seek to raise public awareness of the unique role played by national symbols and to honor the majestic wildlife that reflects the rich natural heritage of our Nation; and WHEREAS, June 20, 2026, marks the annual observance of American Eagle Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the return, protection, and continued recovery of the bald eagle, the national bird and symbol of the United States of America; and WHEREAS, The bald eagle, a powerful bird of prey indigenous to North America, has long stood as a symbol of strength, determination, and honor; before European colonization, bald eagles soared through the skies across the continent, witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations; and WHEREAS, On June 20, 1782, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the bald eagle as the emblem of the United States, signifying freedom and resilience; and WHEREAS, In the early years of the Republic, over 100,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles populated the skies of the United States; however, the species experienced a sharp decline throughout the 19th and 20th centuries due to illegal hunting, habitat destruction, lead poisoning, pesticide exposure, and other environmental hazards; and WHEREAS, The passage of the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940 marked a significant step toward safeguarding the species by prohibiting the killing, selling, or possession of bald eagles; and WHEREAS, Despite these protections, bald eagle populations continued to decline, and by 1967, they were listed as an endangered species, largely due to the devastating effects of the pesticide D.D.T., which interfered with the birds' calcium metabolism and led to weakened eggshells and reproductive failure; and WHEREAS, The publication of Rachel Carson's landmark book "Silent Spring" brought national attention to the environmental dangers of D.D.T., catalyzing a movement that culminated in the United States banning the pesticide in 1972; and WHEREAS, Through sustained conservation efforts, public education, habitat protection, and regulatory enforcement, the bald eagle has made a remarkable recovery, with current estimates exceeding 300,000 individuals across the country; and WHEREAS, American Eagle Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of environmental stewardship, celebrate the resurgence of this iconic bird, and promote awareness about its role in the ecosystem and its cultural significance to the United States; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 20, 2026, as American Eagle Day in the State of New York, and to commend all those who have worked to protect and conserve this treasured national symbol; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.