Commems Collection Modern: 2008 Bald Eagle Recovery - Unique Ongoing Acknowledgement

In all of my research into United States ("US") commemorative coins, the story of the ongoing recognition of the Bald Eagle Recovery coin program perpetuated by one Senator stands alone for its persistence...


In 2004, during the 108th Congress, bills were introduced in the US House of Representatives ("House") and Senate that called for a commemorative coin program - Gold Half Eagle, Silver Dollar and Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Clad Half Dollar - to celebrate the "recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States, to America's lands, waterways, and skies and the great importance of the designation of the American bald eagle as an "endangered" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973."

The House bill, introduced by William Jenkins (R-TN) (April 2004), went on to become law in favor of the Senate bill introduced by Lamar Alexander (R-TN) (October 2004)

2008 American Bald Eagle Recovery Silver Dollar


Though it was not Senator Alexander's bill that ultimately became the Public Law that authorized the commemorative coin bill in support of the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee, he continued to show his appreciation for Jenkins' bill becoming Public Law 108-486 and its support of a Tennessee organization, by introducing annual Senate Resolutions that sought to designate June 20th of a given year as "American Eagle Day." He offered such a Resolution each year from 2008 through 2020 (except 2009) (110th through 116th Congresses); Alexander did not serve past the 116th Congress.

Note: American Eagle Day was created in 1995 by the American Eagle Foundation.

In each annual Resolution that he introduced (all "Agreed To" BTW), Alexander acknowledged the Bald Eagle Recovery commemorative coin program, with his references to the coin program changing over time.

His first Resolution, for example, introduced in June 2008 included a "just the facts" statement:

"Whereas the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108-486; 118 Stat. 3934)—

(1) was signed into law on December 23, 2004; and

(2) directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins in 2008--

(A) to celebrate the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle; and

(B) to mark the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)"

Beginning in 2010, the Resolution's language told a story that included outcomes:

"Whereas, on January 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury issued 3 limited edition bald eagle commemorative coins under the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108-486; 118 Stat. 3934);

"Whereas the sale of the limited edition bald eagle commemorative coins issued by the Secretary of the Treasury has raised approximately $7,800,000 for the nonprofit American Eagle Foundation of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to support efforts to protect the bald eagle..."

This language continued until 2015 when it was updated to:

"Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates June 20, 2015, as "American Eagle Day";

(2) applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Secretary of the Treasury as a way to generate critical funds for the protection of the bald eagle"

This language carried through (with calendar year updates) to Anderson's last Resolution of June 2020.

When Anderson left the Senate/Congress after the 116th Congress, his successor from Tennessee did not carry the annual Resolution further. "American Eagle Day" continues to be marked each year, but it no longer has a Senate Resolution formally backing it.

Anderson's dedication "to the cause" was commendable and represented a unique case of persistent support for a US commemorative coin program.


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the Bald Eagle Recovery coins, see: Commems Collection