Minnesota
Push to make bald eagle national bird took flight in Minnesota
Bald Eagle could soon be national bird
The Bald Eagle is a symbol of American freedom, strength and perseverance, but did you know it was never designated the official national bird? FOX 9’s Maury Glover explains how that could soon change.
(FOX 9) – The bald eagle is poised to be officially recognized as the United States’ national bird as a bipartisan bill is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.
History of bald eagle as symbol of United States
The backstory: Back in 1782, Congress put the bald eagle on the national seal and since then, it has been used on everything from passports to currency. But it was never officially designated the national bird, a fact many people assumed it already was.
“Assuming something doesn’t necessarily make it so. So, this is just kind of that official overdue recognition that this is our national symbol. Let’s make it our national bird,” said Ed Hahn, the National Eagle Center director of advancement and marketing communications.
The National Eagle Center in Wabasha is home to four bald eagle ambassadors who help teach visitors about the environment and conservation. But soon the formerly endangered species could be soaring to new heights.
“It’s a very cool development and surprising to most people,” said Hahn.
Push to name bald eagle as national bird
What we know: Preston Cook, whose 40,000 piece collection of eagle memorabilia is housed at the eagle center, discovered the oversight while he was writing a book about the birds.
Cook urged Minnesota lawmakers in Washington D.C. to introduce legislation naming the bald eagle the national bird, which passed the U.S. Senate back in July and the U.S. House on Monday. The bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk to make the designation official.
“Here we are a country that doesn’t have a national bird. Now, every state, all 50 states have a state bird, but we don’t have a national bird. So it is time I felt that this should be done,” said Cook.
Dig deeper: The bald eagle bounced back from near extinction in the late 60s and 70s and the eagle center hopes giving the country’s most prominent bird a new title will help the species continue to spread its wings for years to come.
“I think any time that we’re able to elevate something like the bald eagle in high into the public eye, it raises awareness and appreciation for our natural resources, for the environment, for conservation, which are all important,” said Hahn.
The bald eagle will join the rose as the national flower, the oak as the national tree and the bison as the national mammal.
What we don’t know: While the bill has been sent to President Biden’s desk, it’s unknown when he may sign the bill into law.
A 29-year-old man drowned at a lake in northern Minnesota on Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office said the man drowned at the swimming area at Little Emily Lake Park. The man was at the park with family and friends at the time.
First responders arrived at the scene to try and rescue him, but he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.
Little Emily Lake is about 40 miles north of Brainerd.
Minnesota
If Nolan Teasley is the “primary football executive” in Minnesota, Seahawks will get compensatory picks
The hiring of Seahawks assistant G.M. Nolan Teasley as the Vikings’ new G.M. will carry a specific benefit for his former team.
Per the league, Teasley qualifies as a diverse candidate under the NFL provision that gives the former team of a newly-hired G.M. or head coach a pair of third-round compensatory draft picks.
The only question is whether Teasley will be Minnesota’s “primary football executive.” That requirement prevented the Bears from receiving the compensatory draft picks when assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham was hired to be the Falcons G.M. The league decided that president of football Matt Ryan is the “primary football executive” in Atlanta.
The Bears appealed the decision to the league, and Bears fans continue to be mystified by the outcome — especially since Ryan has made it clear that Cunningham is a General Manager “in every facet of the word.”
Minnesota has no similar position to Ryan’s job with the Falcons. The only alternative to Teasley would be coach Kevin O’Connell. But there has been no indication that, moving forward, O’Connell will emerge as the top football executive for the Vikings, with full control over the roster and the draft.
The NFL’s full collection of diversity of initiatives have recently come under attack by Florida’s attorney general. The Seahawks getting two extra third-round draft picks undoubtedly will spark a reaction from those who, in the current climate, attack efforts aimed at enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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