Mike Enzi: “today I join with my friend and colleague from the State of Colorado to introduce the Bison Nickel Restoration Act of…”

“today I join with my friend and colleague from the State of Colorado to introduce the Bison Nickel Restoration Act of 2004 to bring the image of the American bison back to the 5-cent coin. The American bison is one of the most powerful symbols of the American West. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark encountered many bison on their western expedition. Native Americans in the Great Plains States have held the American bison as one of the most sacred animals, as it represents a spiritual being supplying everything necessary to survive. The bison also is an enduring symbol of the growth of the United States westward. The symbol of the bison is so powerful that the State of Wyoming has put its image on the State flag and the U.S. Department of the Interior uses the bison image on its official seal. Many don't realize how close we came to losing this important animal. At one time, the American bison population was conservatively estimated at 60,000,000 strong. In the early 1900's, the worldwide bison population fell below 1000 and was virtually extinct. At that time, less than 100 free-range bison existed and there remained only 29 bison under Federal Government control, 21 in Yellowstone National Park and eight in the National Zoo in Washington, DC. However, the restoration of the bison herds is one of the most shining examples of conservation efforts of our Nation's history.”