H 3996 General Bill, By Limehouse, Allen, Barrett, Battle, Breeland, Chellis, 
Clyburn, Fleming, Gilham, Gourdine, J. Hines, Inabinett, Jennings, Leach, Lee, 
Littlejohn, Mack, Maddox, McCraw, Martin, Phillips, Sandifer, J. Smith, 
R. Smith, Stille and Taylor
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 1-1-621 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE AMERICAN BALD EAGLE, HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS,
 AS THE OFFICIAL STATE BIRD OF PREY.

   04/27/99  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-79
   04/27/99  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-79

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-621 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE AMERICAN BALD EAGLE, HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS, AS THE OFFICIAL STATE BIRD OF PREY.

Whereas, the American bald eagle, Haliaeetus Leucocephalus, represents freedom, living atop lofty mountains, nesting high in tall trees amid the solitary grandeur of nature, where with strong wings and keen eyes he soars across the sky, sweeping low into the valleys or upward into the boundless spaces beyond, always exhibiting a spirit of self-sufficiency and freedom; and

Whereas, the American bald eagle is native to South Carolina, as elsewhere in the North American continent. The male bald eagle generally measures about thirty-six inches head to tail and has a wingspan of approximately eighty inches. The female bald eagle is larger with some reaching fourteen pounds and having wingspans up to eight feet. As expressed by Edwin Way Teale, in "Bird of Freedom," "[a]bove all birds it is the soaring eagle, with its size and weight, that gives the most abiding impression of power and purpose in the air. It advances solidly like a great ship cleaving the swells and thrusting aside the smaller waves. It sails directly where lesser birds are rocked and tilted by the air currents"; and

Whereas, the American bald eagle was chosen on June 20, 1782, as the emblem of our fledgling yet great country, because it was believed to exist only on the North American continent, its long life, great strength, and majestic looks and, more especially, because the majestic bird of prey represents and is symbolic of the freedom men and women sought throughout history and following a long and bloody revolution in which South Carolina played a crucial and telling part, finally secured in this State and nation; and

Whereas, the American bald eagle has few natural enemies but needs an environment of quiet isolation, tall mature trees, and clean water. There were officially declared an endangered species in 1967 in all areas of the United States south of the 40th parallel, and is only one of a small number of species that has fought its way back from the endangered species list; and

Whereas, it is fitting and proper that a State whose motto is dum spiro spero (While I breathe I hope), and whose purpose is to be Animis Opibusque Parati (Prepared in mind and resources), should offer refuge and a home to a native bird, and to call attention to its endangered plight. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-621. The American bald eagle, Haliaeetus Leucocephalus, is designed as the official state bird of prey."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.