Legislation proposed by Minnesota lawmaker looks to give bald eagle a new title

WABASHA, Minn. (WKBT) -- The bald eagle has represented American freedom and patriotism since the early years of the United States. Recently proposed legislation is looking to give the bird a new title.

The bald eagle was designated as the national symbol in 1782. Since then, people have assumed it has also served as our nation's bird.

In reality though, the U.S. does not currently have a national bird.

"It should have been done many years ago," said Preston Cook, an avid eagle lover who is also a volunteer at Wabasha's National Eagle Center.

Cook has been collecting eagle memorabilia since his time in the military during the Vietnam War. His collection has grown to more than 40,000 items, which he recently donated to the Eagle Center.

Cook started writing a book about eagles 15 years ago when he discovered there was no official national bird.

"I was looking for the entry in the chronology of when the bald eagle became our national bird. Couldn't find it," he said.

Thanks to him, though, that could soon change. Last year, Cook wrote a bill to designate the bald eagle as our national bird.

That bill was presented to Wabasha's U.S. House of Representative's member Brad Finstad. In June, Rep. Finstad brought the bill to Congress.

"It's an assumed thing already, so let's just make it the law of the land," Rep. Finstad said.

The bill is already getting bipartisan support.

"I've had unanimous support...as I've talked to folks, once they understand that we don't have that designation yet for the bald eagle," Rep. Finstad said. "I kind of joked a little bit, how could you vote no on this? How could you be against the bald eagle? How could you be against such a strong symbol that has been incorporated in everything from currency to military uniforms to insignias."

Congress isn't the only ones supporting the legislation. The public is behind it, too.

"Nothing screams America more than the bald eagle," one patron of the Eagle Center said.

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.