The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, earned an overdue honor on Tuesday: It officially became the country’s national bird.

Minnesota resident Preston Cook has long pushed lawmakers to designate the bald eagle as the country’s official bird. He even penned a draft of the legislation that he sent to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Preston lives in Wabasha, Minn., home of the National Eagle Center. This week, his effort paid off.