July 18, 1961
Mr. Charles H. Callison
Special Assistant to the President
National Audubon Society
43 South Calumet Street
Hastings-on-Hudson
Dear Mr. Callison:
The founding fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the Bald Eagle as the Emblem of our nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America. But as latter day citizens we shall have failed a trust if we permit the Eagle to disappear.
To find out why the Bald Eagle has declined in numbers, and then to take the necessary steps to assure its permanence among our living wildlife -- theses are important tasks for conservationists.
I commend the Bald Eagle project undertaken by the National Audubon Society and associates.
Sincerely,
John F. Kennedy
(White House Central Subject Files, Box 103, FE 10 National Emblems - Executive)