Congress: make bison our national mammal

I'm writing to you as a constituent to ask you to help recognize one of America's most enduring and unique symbols by cosponsoring H.R. 2908, the National Bison Legacy Act. The bill, introduced by Representatives Clay (D-MO), Fortenberry (R-NE), Noem (R-SD), and Serrano (D-NY), would make the American bison the National Mammal of the United States.

Bison -- our largest land mammal -- have unparalleled historical, cultural, economic, and ecological significance to the U.S. Once ranging from Oregon to New Jersey and Alaska to Mexico, bison herds inspired awe in western explorers, were integrally linked with the economic, physical, and spiritual lives of Native Americans, and are a symbol of the American frontier.

The story of the American bison almost ended in tragedy. By the late 1800s, fewer than one thousand bison remained. The decimated herds, saved by a small group of dedicated ranchers, still teetered on the brink of extinction. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt led men and women from all walks of life, including ranchers, Native Americans, industrialists, and citizens from across the nation in a monumental effort to save bison from extinction. A few years later, captive breeding programs like one established at the Bronx Zoo in New York City were already successfully reestablishing bison back into their native habitats.

Bison are an important animal in many sectors of modern American life, and are recognized for their hardiness and ability to thrive in most North American landscapes. They continue to sustain and provide cultural value to Native Americans and Indian tribes. Over 60 tribes are working to restore bison to over 1,000,000 acres of Indian lands. Bison production on private ranches is in its strongest economic condition in more than a decade. The total value of privately owned bison on more than 2,600 bison ranches in all 50 states in the U.S. was estimated at $280 million in 2013. This trend bodes well for bison ranches, which create jobs, provide a sustainable and healthy meat source, and contribute to our nation's food security.

Bison are highly desired by the sporting public, and states are hosting successful annual bison hunts, helping to finance bison management efforts. Herds provide enjoyment and education to millions of visitors to America's National Parks and public lands, zoos, and private facilities. Tourists eager to view both public and private bison herds contribute significantly to the economies of rural communities. And bison are an integral part of America's cultural heritage, as evidenced by their presence on coins, representation on State flags, depiction on the Department of the Interior's seal, and appearance as logos of sports teams, businesses, and academic institutions.

I encourage you to help lead this effort to acknowledge the bison's special place in our national heritage, as well as the contributions bison make to American life now and for centuries to come, by cosponsoring H.R. 2908, the National Bison Legacy Act.