Senators seek to name bison “national mammal”

This is not to say these animals are not important. However, recently lawmakers have concerned themselves with everything else other than the issue of student’s loan.

Western lawmakers are seeking to elevate the Plain’s Bison to a status similar to that of the iconic bald eagle with legislation to declare the burly beasts America’s “national mammal.”

As a result on Friday bison’s advocate has launched a “vote bison” public relations campaign to coincide with the bill.

The National Bison Legacy Act introduced in the Senate is backed by lawmakers from Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Rhode Island.

This fundamental and symbolic measure will provide no added protections for the estimated 20,000 wild bison in North America. However, the bald eagle will still hold a somewhat loftier role as the national emblem, as declared by the Second Continental Congress in 1782.

Nonetheless, supporters believe that the bison legacy bill will afford overdue recognition to a species that has sweeping cultural and ecological significance. Bison North America’s largest land animal already appears on two state flags and the official seal of the U.S. Department of Interior.

According to Wyoming Republican Senator Mike Ezni who is the chief sponsor of the bill along with South Dakota Democratic Senator Tim Johnson who said; “The North American bison is an enduring symbol of America, its people and a way of life.”

Also, tens of millions of bison, known as buffalo, once roamed most of North America. They were heavily relied on by many American Indian tribes who harvested the animals for food and materials to make clothing and shelter.

John Calvelli a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and one of the “vote bison” campaign sponsors, said the effort is meant to transcend political concerns and instead mark the animal’s place in American cultural history.

He continued to say, “This isn’t about getting into the middle of these issues of bison and property rights. No matter what political stripe you come from, we can all agree on the important role that bison have played.”

By the turn of

You can read the rest of this article at: http://www.examiner.com/article/senators-seek-to-name-bison-national-mammal