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Statement by Larry Schweiger
President of the National Wildlife Federation
"Today we celebrate the remarkable recovery of the bald eagle. The return of our national symbol is a victory for wildlife, a victory for conservation, and a victory for the Endangered Species Act.
"The bald eagle is one of our nation's greatest symbols. Chosen for its strength, independence and majesty, this icon of the wild exemplifies what it means to be American. As we celebrate the recovery of the bald eagle, we also celebrate the power of the American people to achieve great victories against any odds.
"We cannot commemorate this remarkable comeback without also acknowledging the law that helped us to achieve it. At the very hour that some in Congress are poised to weaken the Endangered Species Act, we are reminded that its safeguards were vital in charting the path of recovery for the bald eagle and other imperiled wildlife. Thanks to this landmark law, our nation's symbol will fly high for generations to come.
"Once again we have proof that the nation's safety net for imperiled wildlife works. Only with a strong Endangered Species Act will we continue to see bald eagles in our skies, wild salmon in our rivers, and grizzly bears in our American West.
"Forty years ago we almost lost the bald eagle because of our recklessness. But as the bird teetered on the edge, Americans took a bold step and declared that we would not allow our national symbol to go extinct. By passing the Endangered Species Act, we resolved to save the bald eagle and all of America's wildlife for future generations.
"When Americans first realized our national symbol was in danger of being lost forever, there were only 417 nesting pairs left in the lower 48 states. Today, eagle numbers are strong with over 7,000 breeding pairs spread across the lower 48.
"The success of the bald eagle is a success for all Americans. The Endangered Species Act provided the framework for the bald eagle's recovery, but it was the will and actions of individuals that brought this bird back from the brink of extinction.
"Thanks to the work of landowners, conservationists, business owners, scientists, federal, state and local agencies, and our champions in Congress, bald eagles are once again thriving throughout the nation. The comeback of the bald eagle is testament to what can be achieved through cooperative conservation.
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