Proclamations

Back to Proclamations

Proclamation Header Image

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

American Eagle Day

WHEREAS, on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was designated as the national emblem of the United States at the Second Continental Congress; and,

WHEREAS, the bald eagle's image, meaning, and symbolism have played significant roles in American history; and,

WHEREAS, the bald eagle is the central image used in the Great Seal of the United States and in the seals of many branches of the United States government, including the Presidency, Congress, Department of Defense, Treasury Department, Justice Department, State Department, Department Of Commerce, and U.S. Postal Service; and,

WHEREAS, the bald eagle has important natural, cultural, and spiritual importance to Native American Tribes in Virginia; and,

WHEREAS, the bald eagle is a flagship indicator of the health of lands and waters, particularly the Chesapeake Bay, where the number of nesting pairs of bald eagles in Virginia grew from a low of 33 in the 1970s to more than 1,500 in present day; and,

WHEREAS, the Chesapeake Bay, particularly Virginia’s coastal rivers, provide vital summer and wintering habitat for concentrations of thousands of bald eagles from Florida to the eastern Canadian provinces; and,

WHEREAS, through vigilant efforts by Virginians and Americans, the bald eagle symbolizes commitment to our country and American values such as freedom, honor, and tradition;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize June 20, 2022 as AMERICAN EAGLE DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.